Courtesy translation
Mister President of the Republic,
Dear Mrs. Kornhauser–Duda,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to thank you and your courteous spouse also on behalf of my daughter and of the delegation accompanying us for the exquisitely warm welcome and the words of deep friendship that you extended to the Italian Republic.
The relationship between Italy and Poland, between our peoples, is solid and profound. It thrives on sharing the values of independence and national identity of the Risorgimento, so well personified by Colonel Francesco Nullo, an officer in Garibaldi’s army – and a prominent figure in the Five Days of Milan and in the Expedition of the Thousand – who, 160 years ago, gave his life for this land at the head of an international legion.
Mutually, “For our and your freedom” recite the words etched in marble in the Polish Cemetery of Montecassino to commemorate the courageous contribution and sacrifice of the Polish II Corps in the liberation of Italy from Nazi-Fascism during World War II.
The expression of shared values and of a common fate.
A proof of friendship that Italy does not forget.
Today, the European continent is once again facing a senseless war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine.
Italy and Poland are united through the solidarity with a population under attack, in the common conviction that what is at stake are the values that we share within the European Union.
The unity of intents among member States is priceless.
It represents the strength of nations and people that are on an equal standing against an imperialist thrust that is the fruit of exacerbated nationalisms.
The complex and changing reality that surrounds us, precisely because of this aspect, requires us to make a step forward.
It requires that the European Institutions learn how to grow and equip themselves with all the instruments necessary to enable the Union to continue representing a condition of stability and progress capable of exercising a positive influence on the international scene and of effectively opposing turning back history towards illiberal autocracies and warring policies against other States.
Mister President,
I would now like to pay a tribute to the extraordinary effort made by the Republic of Poland and its citizens in the tragic period that has brought bloodshed to Europe.
My fellow citizens and I personally are very impressed and admire the example set by the Polish people in assisting and welcoming Ukrainian citizens fleeing from the devastation of war.
The effort that the European Union and our two Countries are making in supporting Kiev, providing military assistance to Ukraine within the framework of our common and convinced membership in the Atlantic Alliance, are essential elements in the process that will have to lead us towards an equitable peace.
It is in this context that our bilateral relations thrive and develop, also driven by the solidity of our economic ties, as testified by the intensity of our commercial exchanges and the presence of more than 2,500 Italian companies in Poland. Moreover, our relations are successfully characterized by solid and historical cultural ties.
Significant is the drive coming from our youths: many are those who choose to visit, study, or live in one or the other Country. They are citizens of a common house.
They fuel a continuing exchange of influence and mutual suggestions between the art and culture of our two Countries, refreshing a centuries-old experience: suffice it to think of the reception of Chopin’s work by the Italian public of the Risorgimento who identified with the narrative of an exile who sings the fate of an oppressed Country.
Turning to the present time, I would like to highlight our admiration for the poetess Szymborska, testified by the numerous events organized also in Italy to celebrate “2023 the Year of Wisława Szymborska”.
2023 was also proclaimed “Year of Remembrance of the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes”. On 19 April, the whole world will honour the heroes of the uprising: I join them in the commemoration.
Tomorrow I will visit Auschwitz where, together with the youth of the whole world, in the March of the Living, we will repeat: “Never Again”.
In your marvellous city of Cracow, I will then visit the Jagiellonian University to pay homage to one of Europe’s most ancient university institutions, the symbol of Polish culture, of the freedom of culture and research, and of the resilience of its people.
Mister President,
Today our two Countries, firm Members of the European Union and of the Atlantic Alliance, are called upon to defend and promote their founding values, first and foremost liberty, peace, human rights, and democracy.
By working together, Italy and Poland will be able to look at the future with confidence, aware that they will always be able to count on the deep-set ties that unite them on the path towards rebuilding a freer and fairer world.
It is with these feelings that I raise my glass in a toast to the friendship between our Countries, our two peoples and to a peaceful, united, and prosperous Europe.
