Thank you. I am very pleased to be here today, to testify the deep friendship that bonds the United States and Italy. I want to thank President Biden for his hospitality. This closeness is based on common values and cultural roots. Our bond was made strong by the contribution of millions of Americans of Italian origin and that means Italy is an integral part of the great American nation, and contributed in shaping its culture and identity, and also for that our relations are historically strong, they cross governments and remain solid regardless of their political colours. 

We know who our friends are in times that are tough. I think that Western nations have shown that they can rely on each other much [more] than some had believed, moreover after the Russian aggression against Ukraine, for all together we decided to defend international law and I’m proud that Italy, from the beginning, played its part in it. We did it simply because supporting Ukraine means defending the peaceful coexistence of people and States everywhere in the world. Contrary to what some claim, Ukrainian resistance distances a world war; it does not bring it closer, as some say. Those who believe in peace should be the first supporters of the Ukrainian cause.

And then Italy and the United States have important common interests in enhancing, as well, a global trade that is not only free but also fair. Competition from other nations that do not meet our standards in terms of worker protection, safety, environmental protection, undermine our companies and workers. So, free trade without rules has shown its limits. We must find the right balance between openness and the protection of our economies and strategic interests. 

Similarly, we will discuss also this, within the West we must work together to support our industrial systems by fostering convergence on our national interests. In this respect, the dialogue between us - between Italy, Europe, the United States - can avoid counterproductive tension to the benefit of everyone. And, on the other hand, we also need to be fair with nations that feel they have been exploited of their resources and that today show distrust towards the West. President Biden knows I take care a lot about Africa, about the role that we can play in these countries that can help us, building with them a new relationship based on a new approach, which is a peer-to-peer approach, also to fight illegal migration and all the problems that we face. It’s all things that we will discuss in the G7 presidency of Italy next year. 

And then, the United States is our most important trade partner outside the European Union, and I think - I do agree with you, Joe - that our trade partnership is very high, but no reason why we could not improve it. 
So, thank you very much for hosting us, and thank you for your time.