Europe Programme - [10/30/2009]

King Juan Carlos and President Napolitano call for the construction of a strong, united Europe in the closing session of the 10th Spain-Italy Dialogue Forum

The closing session of the 10th Spain-Italy Dialogue Forum took place, as programmed, at the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts, featuring the presence of His Royal Highness King Juan Carlos and the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano.

In a speech that he gave in both Spanish and Italian, the King expressed his gratitude to the Forum for its work in the service of the two friendly nations, and for its commitment to building an ever-stronger, more united Europe; he also praised the cooperation between the two countries within the EU to promote "a great integration project based on peace, democracy and freedom".

Meanwhile, Napolitano stressed that the Spain-Italy axis was not considered an "exclusive" one compared to other close relations between EU countries, nor as a "substitute" for the strengthening of common European institutions. The President of the Italian Republic also praised King Juan Carlos as an "historic friend of Italy”.

After the closing session of the bilateral Dialogue Forum, and before leaving the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts, the King and the Italian President inaugurated the exhibition “Carlos III, between Naples and Spain”, which features 48 valuable works, including paintings, sculptures, drawings and ceramics.

The Forum was brought to a close after having been well represented by Spanish and Italian civil society, bringing together more than 200 people from both countries, and with an intense working agenda that was carried out over three months of dialogue. The subjects included: International crisis and growth: the role of the business sector in Italy and Spain; The future of European integration from an Italian-Spanish perspective; and University, business and sustainable economy: the shared challenges. These work groups were organised with the aim of consolidating the idea of the Forum not as a mere annual event, but as a permanent working space.

This, the 10th Forum, also featured the prize-giving for the 2nd Spain-Italy Dialogue Forum prizes, which were awarded to the best comparative social science studies on subjects related to bilateral relations between the two countries.

Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, took part in the plenary session and congratulated the Forum's two co-presidents, Enrico Letta and Narcís Serra, for the successful duration of the event, which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. The strengthening of relations between Italy and Spain is well demonstrated by this annual meeting with no fixed venue, as the Forum alternates its location each year between a Spanish city and an Italian one. Next year the Forum will be travelling to Italy.

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