Addressing an inauguration ceremony attended by Yemeni ministers and foreign ambassadors to Yemen, Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, currently visiting Yemen, Stefania Craxi said the inauguration was testimony to Italy’s commitment to ongoing friendship and partnership with Yemen.

The partnership between Yemen and Italy is successful, said Craxi affirming the two countries will continue the tradition of partnership and cooperation.

The inauguration comes while Yemen is facing security challenges but Italy has to show serious intentions to help develop this country, Craxi said.

At a ceremony under tight security, the Italian flag was raised over the building located in Hadda streat.

Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi also addressed senior Yemeni and foreign diplomats, hailing the inauguration which comes as he says to promote the Italian diplomatic representation in Yemen.

Earlier in the day, Craxi met with Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Mujawar and discussed issues related to the Italian support for Yemen’s accession into the World Trade Organization and the building up of the capabilities of the Yemeni coastguard.

Craxi also met with Minister of Culture Abu Bakr Al-Muflehi and discussed the issues of mutual cooperation in the cultural field.

At the meeting, Craxi affirmed Italy’s keenness to promote the cultural cooperation with Yemen and its readiness to support the Yemeni Culture Ministry to preserve the country’s heritage. At the meeting, the pair signed an agreement on cooperation in the scientific research and between the Sana’a University and the Italian Naples Eastern University.

She also met with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and set out a framework for cooperation between Yemen and Italy during 2009-2011.

Noteworthy, Italy provided € 5 million in support for the reconstruction of the war-damaged areas in Saada.

Craxi arrived in Yemen on Monday along with an accompanying delegation on a visit aimed at meeting with Yemeni senior officials to discuss issues related to mutual cooperation between Yemen and Italy in all fields and in the fight on piracy in particular.

In relation to piracy, a Yemeni fisherman was found slain in the Abdul Kori Island of the Socotra Archipelago. Local sources said Somali pirates killed the fisherman after they failed to hijack his boat.

The pirates took his boat along with two 40 horsepower engines on board, the sources added.  

People in the island found the body at the beach.

Early in December, Somali pirates attacked a Yemeni fishing boat in the Red Sea killing two fishermen and injuring five others. Some of those who were on the boat managed to escape.