§ Mr. CasaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the state of relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Italy. [135851]
§ Mr. VazOur bilateral relations with Italy are excellent, and continue to flourish. The closeness of the relationship was further demonstrated by the very successful state visit to Italy last month, when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh enjoyed the exceptionally warm welcome and hospitality of the Italian people. The Queen and the Duke were accompanied on the visit by the Foreign Secretary, and the Minister for Europe. Both Ministers met leading figures from Italian politics.
§ Mr. CasaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the impact of the recent state visit to Italy. [135850]
§ Mr. VazThe state visit to Italy has served to convey the strongest possible reaffirmation of the high regard that our countries have for one another; as friends, allies and economic partners. The Queen's meetings with leading figures from the political and business fields, as well as those of the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Europe, demonstrated the keenness that our countries have to work closely together, for the mutual benefit of both countries, and for the EU as a whole.