Most excellent Nuncio,
Mesdames and Messieurs Ambassadors,
I thank Maestro Mariotti and the orchestra of Rome’s Opera House, who will shortly be offering us some enthralling moments of art.
Eighty years ago, representatives from several countries wrote, in their reports, about the political and social atmosphere preceding the referendum to be held on 2 June 1946, and then about the outcome – which would make Italy a Republic.
In those dispatches, the recurring concern was the potential consequences such a delicate institutional transition might have in a worn-out country, where the atmosphere was heavily polarised.
A real democratic turning point in Italy was the fact that, in 1946, women could finally go to polls, for the first time ever.
A new path, based on peace, freedom, democracy and social justice, enshrined in a Constitution that would come into force on 1 January 1948.
During the works of the Constituent Assembly, observers noted and highlighted two principles that would underpin Article 11 of our fundamental Charter: rejection of war for settling international disputes (an irreversible change of stance, opposed to Fascism) and the decision to share sovereignty with other peoples, under equal conditions, to give birth to an order capable of ensuring peaceful coexistence and equality among States.
That was an unmistakable sign that the Republic was willing to play an active role in the international community, partaking in the creation of a new multilateral order.
Joining the European project, the Atlantic Alliance and the United Nations further confirmed, throughout the years, the concrete expression of those principles that led the Italian Republic to support the UN’s work, even in its peacekeeping missions, as well as the action of international courts, which crucially preserve a civilisation based on the assumption that rule of law should prevail over the aggressiveness of military force, even in relations between States.
Mesdames and Messieurs Ambassadors,
on this paramount anniversary, we acknowledge that the promise for the future, embodied by the Republican choice, has been kept.
The Italian Republic is firmly anchored to the values which it has borne witness to over the past eighty years, striving to find peaceful solutions and supporting the independence of peoples; committed to upholding the dignity and rights of the individual; supporting, with conviction, international cooperation: all these principles are currently under siege.
That’s a regressive trend in the international order, driven by one specific event: the Russian Federation’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv’s struggle for independence and freedom is a cause we very much share.
Alas, chaos is to be seen in the Middle East as well, confirming that bad practices can quickly gather followers.
A clear example of this is the unsolved crisis sparked by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the enduring menace of a vast-scale war that could spread from Iran to the whole region – which is already brutally and undeservedly striking the civilian population in Lebanon.
But all this must not lead to resignation in the name of an erroneous realism that, aside from being morally deplorable, would be a serious miscalculation.
In such a dismal situation for international law, it should be reiterated that it all breaks down to will and choices.
Indeed, we can decide whether to keep upholding the primacy of international law and the search for shared solutions, which stands against the logic of confrontation and discord.
Fuelling the fire of resentment and hatred will only put us on the path to war and perpetual conflicts.
Mesdames and Messieurs Ambassadors
eighty years ago, diplomacy was pivotal in gradually guiding your States, which favoured a full and fruitful inclusion of Republican Italy in the international arena.
For that, we are grateful.
Today, against a fragmented and complex international backdrop, the role of diplomacy, your professionalism, are ever more crucial, owing to your ability to draw from the roots of relations between countries and to deeply understand the context you are operating in.
I respect and appreciate your commitment in providing your governments with insight and intelligence that help foster ever-better cooperation with Italy, and I am delighted to celebrate the 80th anniversary of our Republic with you.
