Italian government looking to join Friends of Venezuela group

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Italian under secretary of state to the Foreign Ministry Mario Baccini has said his government is keen to take part in the Friends of Venezuela group currently made up of Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the United States. 

"We hope that Italy might be officially admitted to the Friends of Venezuela group."

The comments came following a meeting with Venezuela Foreign (MRE) Minister Roy Chaderton Matos and a trip to Rome by Venezuelan-Italians who called for the Rome government to get increasingly involved in the political crisis.

Contact has already been made with other group members to evaluate what if any help Italy could be to their efforts. 

"Venezuela should remain linked to the international community so its problems can be solved without violence and through the strength of politics."