Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013.
Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 | 8:10 a.m.
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is greeting outgoing Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, hailing him as a friend and a "visionary" leader and taking the opportunity to thank Italy for its participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and contributions in Afghanistan.
Obama says Napolitano, who ends his seven years in office this spring, has helped guide and steer Europe toward greater unification. Among the topics Obama said the two men would discuss is Obama's plan to pursue U.S.-European Union free trade pact and the formation of a new government in Italy and its implications for Europe.
Napolitano said Italy, which has struggled to shore up its finances and emerge from recession, has made "remarkable progress" in the past 14 months. He says progress "must and will continue."
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.
If you would like to submit your comment as a letter to the editor, you may submit it here.