On the occasion of the State visit in Canada to celebrate 150 years of the Federation, on June 28th the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella came to Montreal with a packed agenda.
The President, with the company of the undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Senator Benedetto Della Vedova and the delegation, welcomed the Prime Minister of Quebec Philippe Couillard, underlining the excellent relationship between Italy and Quebec and sharing all the concerns about the migration crisis in the Mediterranean sea.
The President briefly visited Old Montreal, unique in North America for its peculiar European traits.
He then met several members of the Italian community at Casa d’Italia, in Little Italy. After the performance of both national hymns Italian and Canadian, and following the speeches of the Consul General of Italy Marco Riccardo Rusconi and of the Ambassador of Italy Claudio Taffuri, the President greeted the community and unveiled a plate in honour of His visit. He praised the important goals that the Italian community in Montreal have achieved, getting back a great amount of affection and tribute.
On the occasion of the 375th anniversary of Montreal’s foundation, the Mayor of Montreal Denis Coderre presented the President of the ItalianRepublic with the Keys to the City on board of the ItalianNavySchool “Amerigo Vespucci” ship. The President reached the ship by sea and after receiving the Honors from the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy Admiral Valter Girardelli, the Captain of the vessel Angelo Patruno and the crew, he entertained guests on board for a vin d’honneur.
On June 29th, the President greeted the staff of the Consulate General of Italy in Montreal, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Italian Trade Commission (ICE Agency), the most representative organizations the Italian community can rely on.