Friday 21 December, the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Hon. Raffaele Volpi, accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral of team Valter Girardelli, brought the wishes of the government to the crews of the operation Safe Sea and to the staff involved in the bilateral MIASIT Assistance and Support Mission in Libya, who will spend the next Christmas holidays in the operational theater.
On board the frigate Carabiniere, seat of the tactical command of the operation Safe Sea, the Hon. Volpi was received by the team admiral Donato Marzano, commander in chief of the naval team, and by the rear admiral Flavio Biaggi, tactical commander of the operation Safe Sea. The undersecretary congratulated the crew for their daily commitment in the Mediterranean Sea, to protect national and international defense and security
On Saturday 22 December, Undersecretary Volpi then moved to Misurata to meet the soldiers of the contingent engaged in the bilateral mission MIASIT including the marines of the San Marco marine brigade, framed in the Task Force Hippocrates, employed since last September with the task of ensuring the security of the Italian base and field hospital. To receive the delegation the commander of the mission, gen b. Domenico Ciotti. During the visit, the Hon. Volpi had the opportunity to meet some local military authorities expressing their feelings of closeness and friendship “The importance of bearing witness to the closeness of our government to the Libyan people is corroborated by a feeling of deep friendship that unites us as peoples. The excellent work done by the Navy and the Libyan Coast Guard is the beginning of a work of closeness without thinking exclusively about the business ... knowing and understanding what happens in Libya helps to build together the path to be pursued for the good of the two countries, leaving the priority to Italy to be a privileged partner. ... the Mediterranean does not divide ... UNITE !!!!!!! ". The meeting ended with a note of hope "You are the protagonists of a project that must be an example for the other regions of the country ... the difference between shaking hands and hugging after a meeting means having a friendly relationship".
Both the undersecretary Volpi and the admiral Girardelli in the various meetings with the contingents and the crews have underlined how the men and women of the Armed Forces, "citizens with the stars" have the privilege of performing an exciting yet complex profession.
A profession that requires great dedication and a high spirit of sacrifice and service towards the community. The two defense representatives therefore thanked all the soldiers for their work, especially in these days of celebration, spent away from home and from family affections.
