We are also happy with the creation of the Italian-Israeli Foundation for Arts and Culture and with the signature of the new Cultural Executive Programme. Both instruments will contribute to further strengthening the cultural cooperation between our Countries.

We express our satisfaction for the growing interest for Italian culture shown by the Israeli audience and for the increasing role of the Italian language in the Israeli education system. We wish that such interest be maintained and further enhanced in the future, also trough the events and Italian courses promoted by our Cultural Institutes in Tel Aviv and Haifa.

Co-operation between Italian and Israeli Universities is excellent and shows a high potential for future developments.

Moving on to the regional context, let me say that I consider Israel's security, also our security in Europe and beyond. We reject in the strongest terms all threats to regional stability and condemn as outrageous and unacceptable any denial of the terrible tragedy of the Shoa as well as any threats to the your very existence. We expressed our solidarity for the rocket attacks in the south of the country. We are also introducing legislation in the Italian parliament punishing the denial of the holocaust. Italy strongly believes the peoples of Middle East must strive to offer their children the ability to live together peacefully and in prosperity, by putting dialogue and the search for a peaceful solution to regional issues before hatred and threats.

Italy is committed to continue to strengthen and promote the expansion of ties between Israel and the European Union, and its cooperation with NATO, within the respective frameworks agreed with the European partners.

Italy shares Israel's conviction that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved through direct negotiations, based on the principle of two States for two peoples, with the State of Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland of the Jewish people, and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine as the homeland of the Palestinian people, living side by side - in peace and security and mutual recognition.