ITALY-VENEZUELA: LETTA, GOVERNMENT WILL FOLLOW OUR COUNTRYMEN

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ITALY-VENEZUELA: LETTA, GOVERNMENT WILL FOLLOW OUR COUNTRYMEN (AGI) - Rome, Italy, Feb. 14 - The Italian Government confirms "its priority attention and maximum assistance" towards its countrymen and women resident in Venezuela and stresses that "Italy hopes for a peaceful solution to the political confront underway." This was said by undersecretary to the Office of the Prime Minister, Gianni Letta, who yesterday met with a delegation of Italian residents in Venezuela, accompanied by the General Secretary for Italians in the World, Romeo Ricciuti, in Palazzao Chigi.    A statement announces that during the course of the meeting the Italians representing Italians in Venezuela illustrated the difficult moment which the country is going through, as a consequence of the internal political situation and the consequences of this crisis on the Italian community.    The Undersecretary Letta informed the delegation that the Government had been following developments with great attention and apprehension, and is in constant contact with Italian diplomatic representatives in Venezuela. He pointed out that in December Italy had promted for a EU statement on Venezuela and had announced its willingness to become part of the Group of Friends of Venezuela, the group created on the initiative of the Organisation of the American States.    Italian diplomatic and consulate offices in the country have also been given instructions to offer maximum assistance to Italians there.    Letta also confirmed that the priority attention of the Italian government towards its countrymen and women in Venezuela and stressed that Italy will continue to follow the situation and hopes that a peaceful solution to the political confront will be reached. (AGI) 141252 FEB 03