“Good morning, good morning, it's the last visit and state dinner that I am making as president. We have saved the best for last“. As' Barack Obama, reports the Ansa agency, began by welcoming Matteo Renzi to the White House. I consider myself an honorary Italian ”continued the US president, recalling his trips to Italy“ since Michelle and I had no children ”. "America was built on immigrants, and big and strong on immigrants," he added.
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“Italy is one of the greatest allies we have” and with the USA it follows the motto “clear agreements and long friendship”, added Obama, “since there are conditions between Italy and the USA that could not be clearer. We have a common vision." The two countries, he added, are working so that "Europe becomes a continent of freedom". And again: "I'm not so lucky to have Italian ancestors, but I consider myself an honorary Italian. Our love for Italy runs deep”.
on your part, Renzi thus praised the president of the United States: "Historia magistra vitae, history is a teacher of life and with you, Mister President, history was made". The Italian premier then listed the common challenges of "building bridges and not walls, of supporting growth", of fighting terrorism. And, quoting Dante Alighieri: “There is an expression of the Florentine poet that I cannot translate: 'You weren't made to live like brutes but to follow virtue and knowledge'. Our mission is not to follow brutality, but values, knowledge. This is the choice for us today and I believe that we will never get tired of being true friends, solid partners of the USA, in this spirit".
Tonight's State Dinner it is certainly the most symbolic event of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's three-day visit. It is the 13th for Barack Obama, the last of his double mandate: in 2016 alone he organized 4, one of which with all the leaders of the Scandinavian countries. The last one, on August 2 with the premier of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong. To get an idea of how the Obamas wanted to give the 'State Dinner' a tone reserved for big occasions, just think that Lyndon B. Johnson organized 54 in 62 months of presidency. Ronald Reagan 52 in two terms. Jimmy Carter 28 in 4 years. And the Clintons themselves as many as 28.
