LOC19:43
16:43 GMT
By Mehdi Al-Nimr (with photos) FLORENCE, Italy, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- The Italian city of Florence, Europe's capital of culture and arts, decorated on Thursday Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah with the coveted "Leone del Marzocco" award for his role in bolstering ties with Italy and preserving global stability.
"I am very grateful for this gesture. This much-appreciated award is a great honor to me and my country and I am proud of it," Sheikh Mohammad said in his speech in the award giving ceremony held here at the city's historic palace.
He also expressed his great admiration of the picturesque city of Florence, its civilization and people using Italian phrases, prompting applauses from the cheerful Italian audience.
"I came, saw and became fond of Florence," Sheikh Mohammad said quoting words of Alexander the Great. The Kuwaiti top diplomat underlined the strong and special ties between the city of Kuwait and Florence and the State of Kuwait and Italy. "These ties are between not only governments but also the two people," he said, recalling the Florentine people's solidarity with Kuwaitis during the Iraqi invasion.
He stressed the need to move forward in building and strengthening bridges of friendship and cooperation, expressing the desire of Kuwait, as one of the largest global investors, to invest in Italy.
He suggested that Italy's current economic problems, including that of the eurozone debts and the global economy, do not reflect the true image of the strong and solid Italian economy.
"Kuwait attaches great importance, especially to Italy, and is looking for long-term investment opportunities," he said.
He also asserted the depth of the bilateral relations in all fields, stressing the role of the Kuwait Friendship Committee.
The award ceremony was held at the old palace in the Italian city. It was attended by a considerable number of senior Italian officials including the Prime Minister's Advisor for Gulf affairs, Antonio Capuano, the Mayor of Florence, Eugenio Giani, Chairman of the Italian-Kuwaiti Friendship Committee, Pierandrea Vanni, along with a number of eminent figures.
The attendants also included Kuwait's Ambassador to Italy, Sheikh Jaber Duaij Al-Sabah, Sheikh Mohammad's accompanying delegation; Director of his office Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mohammed Fadhel Khalaf, Ambassador to Greece, Raed Abdullah Al-Rifai.
The award, "Leone del Marzocco" statue, represents the freedom of Florence and the sovereignty of its people.
The award was presented to Sheikh Mohammad by Florence Mayor Giani who welcomed all Kuwaiti guests and applauded Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and the Italian-Kuwaiti Friendship Committee's role in bolstering ties between his city and Kuwait.
Giani, who was the culture minister at the time of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, underlined the great development in relations between Florence and Kuwait since the latter's liberation, and his city's support of Kuwait in all international organizations.
He also highlighted the democratic and freedom values in Kuwait and Italy.
The Mayor also expressed appreciation of the Kuwaiti Ambassador in Italy Sheikh Jaber Duaij's role in bolstering bilateral relations.
In turn, the Prime Minister's Advisor for Gulf Affairs Professor Antonio Capuano expressed his admiration of the State of Kuwait's efforts towards democracy in the Arab world.
"Kuwait represents a role model for democracy in the Arab world, which is enduring its current spring," he said, adding, "but Kuwait's spring already started 50 years ago when it declared independence." Capuano went on to say that, "we're counting on you (Sheikh Mohammad) and your wise leadership, under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the role of being the messenger of the struggle for freedom in the region".
For his part, Chairman of the Italian-Kuwaiti Friendship Committee Vanni welcomed Sheikh Mohammad, affirming the significance of the eminent Florentine award.
He added that the awards reflect deep appreciation of Sheikh Mohammad's role in enhancing the deep-rooted ties of friendship between Kuwait and Italy.
"The award embodies the great love to you and your country," said Vanni speaking to Sheikh Mohammad.
He recalled the twinship agreement signed between the city of Florence and Kuwait City, some 20 years ago, when the Gulf country was targeted by the forces of the ousted Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. This was intended to tangibly demonstrate solidarity with Kuwait against the aggressors.
He added that Florence, by granting this prominent award to Sheikh Mohammad, intends to re-affirm its deep commitment to cooperating with Kuwait, particularly at the cultural, social and economic levels.
"Kuwait represents Italy's gate to the Arab world," Vanni said.
Following the celebration, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad paid a visit the headquarters of the newspaper La Nazione, which is celebrating its 150 anniversary.
The newspaper held a luncheon in honor of Sheikh Mohammad and his accompanying delegation. (end) mn.ibi KUNA 061943 Oct 11NNNN