Mister President,
I am very grateful for your expressions of friendship – which I reciprocate, also on behalf of my daughter and the accompanying delegation - and for the warm welcome I received in Washington. I wish to thank you for the general overview that you have just given, recalling the many ties between the United States and Italy and the many personages that seal this relationship.
I am pleased to be able to greet representatives of the Institutions and society of the United States, together with representatives of the American community of Italian origin. Citizens who, through work, dignity and sacrifice, have actively contributed to the progress of this great country and its identity, honouring the motto - E pluribus unum - which has been with it for over two centuries.
Today, increasingly more people, and among them many young people, consider the United States and Italy as a home wherein to live and move in both directions, contributing, with passion and determination, to propelling our countries into the future.
Thus a deep friendship is strengthened, sealed, in the years after the Second World War, by atransatlantic relationship.
The United States’ contribution to the liberation of Europe from Nazi-fascism is invaluable; and Italy’s - and Europe’s - gratitude to the American people is truly enduring.
We are part of a community of values and principles.
The leadership of the free world responsibly exercised by the United States of America - also through the drive to create the United Nations - included Italy's committed contribution to international peace and security.
As events that recently took place in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans, the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, in the scope of the coalition to defeat Daesh and transnational terrorism.
Washington and Rome, loyal allies, have together faced the challenges of a constantly changing global environment.
Mister President,
the European continent has been guaranteed peace and growth through integration between countries that were once enemies.
The United States have played a key role in soliciting intense collaboration between European countries, following the Second World War, and we are still convinced of the importance of that choice to ensure world equilibrium wherein the freedoms and rights of humanity are respected.
To us the European Union - as well as the Atlantic Alliance - is a "community of destiny", as well as an engine of growth and prosperity, based on values and rights shared with the United States.
For our countries, Mr. President, the transatlantic bond offers, in addition to foreign policy and common defence, the instant harmony of social relations, cultural collaboration, traditional economic-commercial cooperation, which we hope will be further developed in the spirit of broad and fair freedom of trade and investment growth.
Our bond extends to research, which involves scholars, universities, companies and professionals from both countries.
As is the case in the fascinating dimension of the path of spatial knowledge that mankind has taken since the United States - and humanity with them - have placed the first human being imprint on lunar soil.
I wish to celebrate that feat by tipping my hat, with gratitude to the astronauts - including Nick Hague, Andrew Morgan, Christina Koch and our Luca Parmitano – currently working on the International Space Station.
Mister President,
These orbiting men and women speak to us of hope, of the future of humanity: these are the feelings of progress shared by the United States of America, Europe and Italy.
Thank you, Mister President!