NNA – Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Gebran Bassil met on Friday afternoon at his ministerial office with his Italian Counterpart, Paolo Gentiloni, the accompanying delegation and in the presence of Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, Massimo Marotti.
Following the meeting Bassil and Gentiloni held a press conference.
Bassil said that both sides tackled the current challenges facing our countries, particularly the Syrian refugees issue, as well as the terrorist groups.
“We reiterated our stance which calls for a safe return of the refugees to their homeland. This is the sole and sustainable solution for them,” Bassil said.
“We have agreed to launch a comprehensive campaign to combat this virus (terrorists),” the minister added, stressing the need to drag these terrorist organizations to international justice.
Bassil said that Lebanon and Italy would continue to work hand in hand to achieve stability and peace in the world.
The minister said that his counterpart will attend the opening of the basement of the National Museum, in which Italy has helped in its restoration.
“We touched on ways to boost the economic ties between both countries,” Bassil noted, praising the role of the Italian contingent working in UNIFIL’s south Lebanon.
For his part, Gentiloni said “my presence in Lebanon forms a significant chance. The opening of the basement of the National Museum stresses the cultural and civilized cooperation between both countries”.
On the other hand, he said that Italy is the second economic partner of Lebanon and the first on the level of the European Union.
Gentiloni praised Lebanon’s capacity to host the huge number of refugees.
On the other hand, the Italian Minister hoped that they would be able to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
“Italy is trying to look for a solution to this issue with the special envoy,” he stressed.
Separately, Bassil met with the Australian Ambassador to Lebanon, Glenn Miles and discussed the preparations for the visit of Bassil to Australia this month.
