More than 1,000 guests attended a reception at the Embassy of Italy in Washington yesterday, which was attended by Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso and Secretary of Commerce USA, Gina Raimondo, who had a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the event.

Among the guests welcomed by Ambassador Mariangela Zappia were also Hon. Christian Di Sanzo, US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, epidemiologist Anthony Fauci, President of the Inter-American Development Bank Ilan Goldfajn, and Washington Comites President Maby Palmisano.

At the opening of the celebrations, Ambassador Zappia recalled the 1946 referendum by which Italians chose the Republic and the values of democracy that we share with the United States, recalling the President of the Republic's mention yesterday, to the inspiration given by Gaetano Filangieri to the preamble of the U.S. Declaration of Independence which reads "all men are created equal" and the phrase chosen by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to define our relationship with the U.S. "An unshakable alliance, a strategic partnership, and a true and deep friendship." The Ambassador highlighted that the celebrations in Washington were dedicated to Rome, highlighting Italy's bid to host Expo 2030 in the capital and ITA Airways' new direct connection between Rome and Washington.

Minister Urso highlighted the importance of the bond between Italy and the United States, recalling his visits to Washington and his two recent missions to Kiev, testifying to our country's support for Ukraine. He stressed that his presence, alongside Secretary Raimondo, is motivated by the opportunity for the economies and businesses of Italy and the United States to grow together, enhancing the strength and reliability of Italy, a protagonist in the international scenario also thanks to the professionalism, dedication and heroism of its Armed Forces. He addressed Secretary Raimondo with a certificate of gratitude from the government headed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, noting the importance for our two countries to rely on each other in the current geopolitical context and in view of Italy's presidency of the G7 in 2024. In the face of the difficult challenges we face on the economic and industrial fronts, she stressed, we must "create a single large trade and production basin that guarantees the strategic autonomy of the West and thus the values of freedom, independence and well-being that underpin it," recalling the strong growth of the Italian economy, thanks also to the dynamism of our exports and in particular to the affirmation of Made in Italy in the US.

Secretary Raimondo welcomed Minister Urso to the United States, encouraging a greater Italian economic presence in the U.S. and more U.S. investment in Italy. After proudly recalling her own Italian origins, the Secretary emphasized the growing strength of the bond between Italy and the United States, rooted in our common values and concrete commitment to democracy. "Italy's strong voice in the European Union and NATO are vitally important," she pointed out, praising President Meloni's leadership as the first woman to lead a government, for her stance on Ukraine and partnership with the United States, "at a time when we need Italy's leadership in Europe more than ever." She pledged support for Italy's upcoming G7 presidency and, on behalf of President Biden, expressed a desire to work with Italy to strengthen bilateral relations politically and economically.