H.E. Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, the Ambassador of Italy to the US
H.E. Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, the Ambassador of Italy to the US The Union Club - April 7, 2011
For the first time in 80 years the Italian Ambassador to the United States visited Cleveland as a result of the efforts of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs (CCWA), the City of Cleveland, Consulate of Italy, Detroit and, the Northern Ohio Italian American Foundation (NOIA).
A delegation from Vincenza, Cleveland's Sister City, also took part. Vincenza Mayor Achille Variati took part in a business program. "Italy and the Midwest: Business Connections" and other events over two days.
Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata assumed his duties as Ambassador of Italy to the United States on October 1st, 2009. He was previously Italy's Permanent Representative to the United Nations where he also headed the Italian Delegation to the Security Council, which Italy had joined as non permanent member for the 2007-2008 term. Afghanistan, humanitarian intervention and protection of civilians in armed conflicts, were among the major issues Ambassador Terzi focused on during his presence on the Council.
Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata
His most recent overseas posting was as Ambassador of Italy to Israel (2002-2004), a period characterized by the outbreak of the Second Intifada. Ambassador Terzi has been with the Italian foreign ministry since 1975. Born in Bergamo, Giulio Terzi earned a degree in Law at the University of Milan, specializing in International Law.
The honorary chair of the luncheon was Mayor Frank Jackson. Event chairs were: Umberto Fedeli, President and CEO The Fedeli Group, Marco Nobili, Consul of Italy in Detroit and Stephen J. Petras Jr., Chair of the Board of CCWA.
At the luncheon at the Union Club on Friday, Mayor Jackson received a tremendous honor. He was knighted by the Ambassador, at the direction of the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano. He received the honorary rank of Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà.
The Ambassador said, "I need not recall how much the long-standing bonds between our Peoples owe the vast Italian-American community in the United States which has always been, and will continue to be, such a pivotal component of American society. Italy’s sincere alliance - and privileged relationship - with the United States, is certainly also due to the role that this twenty-million strong community has played in forging and strengthening the connection between us. Ohio has close to eight hundred thousand people of Italian heritage; in Cleveland alone, 5% can claim Italian descent."
Ohio Governor John Kasich and Ambassador of Italy to the US Sant'Agata
The content of the Ambassador's speech was very positive and hopeful. The Italians are looking forward to continuing a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States, and Cleveland is a big part of that.
He said, "No other economic relationship is as integrated as the transatlantic economy. The EU and the US economies account, together, for about half the entire world GDP. The EU and the US also share the largest bilateral trading and investment relationship. Transatlantic trade in goods and services amounts to over two billion dollars a day. Total US investment in the EU is three times higher than in all of Asia, and EU investment in the US is about eight times the amount of EU investment in India and China together. Trade and investments generate fourteen million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. Business between Italy and the Midwest is part of this broader picture."
Ohio Governor John Kasich
Governor John Kasich also attended the event and spoke of Ohio's 800,000 citizens of Italian heritage. He quipped that he is considered applying for Cleveland citizenship because he spends so much time in this great city. He too, was very keen on continuing the symbiotic relationship between Ohio and Italy.
Enjoy these photos from the event.
Vincenza Mayor Achille Variati
Ambassador Sant'Agata and Consul Marco Nobili
Honorary Consul Serena Scaiola
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Vincenza Mayor Achille Variati
Ambassador Sant'Agata and CCWA Director Stephen Petras
Mayors Jackson and Variati and CCWA's Rich Crepage
Cleveland Councilman Matt Zone
Ambassador Sant'Agata, Mayor Jackson, Governor Kasich, Marnie Sweet, Mayor Variati and Consul Nobili
Joe Marinucci, President of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson
Alex Machaskee and Governor John Kasich
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson with his sister Patricia and brother Anthony Jackson
Peter D'Attoma asks a question
Laurel and Frank Tombazzi
Vincenza Mayor Variati, Umberto Fedeli, Chris DiCillo, Nick Fedeli and Claudio Ronco
Ohio Governor John Kasich and Ambassador of Italy to the US Sant'Agata
