ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Policlinico San Donato has signed a two-year contract worth 81 million dollars for the management of a highly specialized university hospital with 492 beds in the city of Najaf, Iraq.

The signing of the agreement took place in the presence of the Minister of Health, Saleh Al-Hasnawi, the Italian Ambassador Maurizio Greganti, a large group of deputy ministers and senior officials of the Iraqi Ministry of Health, the President of GKSD and Vice-President of the San Donato Group, Kamel Ghribi, accompanied by the Managing Director of the San Donato Polytechnic, Sara Mariani, who signed the agreement, as well as by a delegation from the San Donato Group.

Following the signing of the agreement, President Kamel Ghribi said, “This is an extraordinary, I would say pioneering, innovation for the Italian healthcare,” adding “our managerial know-how, the great competence of our doctors, is at the service of a country like Iraq which is making great efforts on capacity and institutional construction of which healthcare is an essential component. And Iraq does so by collaborating with the most modern and effective means, that is, the public and private partnership agreement to provide the best assistance at the lowest price for taxpayers. The signing of this contract also has a broader value, namely the possibility that the presence in Iraq of GSD-GKSD could pave the way for the presence in Iraq of many other Italian business groups. Iraq is a large country undergoing reconstruction which attracts the attention of many entrepreneurs from all over the world. It would be a real shame if Italy remained a stranger to this truly exciting phase. This is also why we believe we have performed a useful service for Italy.”

– Photo: GKSD press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The 50-year-old Italian national arrested by Maltese police has been identified as Antonino Ciavarello, son-in-law of the late Sicilian boss-of-bosses Totò Riina.
Ciavarello is expected to be extradited to Sicily to serve jail time. He was arraigned under arrest the day after his 50th birthday.
Ciavarello, who appeared in court wearing clothes covered in construction dust, was unable to stand up in the dock. Speaking quietly, the Italian national gave an address in Mosta as his place of residence. He told the court he was employed as a driver with a construction company based in San Gwann.
In 2017, Ciavarello was arrested in Puglia to serve six months under house arrest for fraud. Ciavarello, who then lived at San Pancrazio with his wife, was found guilty of a scam perpetrated at Termini Imerese in 2009.
This afternoon Ciavarello was taken to court in Valletta. The court asked Ciavarello whether he consented to being returned to Italy. He declared that he did.
Police Inspector Roderick Spiteri confirmed that Ciavarello was arrested on the strength of two European Arrest Warrants issued by the Italian authorities. He exhibited copies of the original arrest warrant and the related Schengen Information System alert.
Inspector Spiteri explained that the two European Arrest Warrants had been issued in connection with two separate court sentences. The two warrants order him to be jailed for two years and pay a euro 100,000 fine, and another eight months prison sentence.
Lawyer Thomas Barbara Sant, assisting Ciavarello told the court that his client had been aware of the judgments but had not known he had been sentenced to imprisonment.
– credit photo agenziafotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – An Italian national wanted by the Italian authorities was arrested by the police in Malta following a European arrest warrant.
The 50-year-old Italian national is sought by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Brindisi Court.
Following weeks of investigations, the arrest operation unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning with police surrounding the individual’s residence in Mosta before effecting the arrest. The operation this morning was conducted in collaboration with the Italian Police.
The Italian authorities had issued the arrest warrant against the individual on 24 January 2022, in connection with serving a prison sentence.
The man is expected to appear in court before the Magistrate to initiate extradition proceedings to Italy.

– Foto: Polizia di Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta and Turkey discussed the possibility of more cooperation in the renewable energy sector, especially in light of the agreement between Malta and Libya, and immigration. During a visit in Malta, Turkey’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, held meetings with Malta’s highest authorities, including Prime Minister Robert Abela, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg, and Malta’s President George Vella. Both sides expressed commitment for diplomatic work and pacific solutions regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The two sides also discussed Malta’s Presidency of the OSCE, and the Prime Minister insisted on the country’s commitment to keep striving for peace in the context of the war in Ukraine and the Middle East. On Ukraine, Turkey’s diplomatic mediation was noted, which is leading to results on food security. Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a visit to Turkey in the coming days. Minister Fidan said that Turkey will continue to work for a fair, diplomatic and peaceful solution agreed between the two parties. Putin’s visit will be the first time that the Russian President visited a NATO member country since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. On the Middle East, the Prime Minister emphasized that the international community needs to keep working towards a permanent ceasefire and a two state solution. Minister Fidan also had a meeting with his Maltese counterpart, Minister Ian Borg, in which the two ministers discussed a number of issues of a bilateral nature, such as the political crisis in Ukraine and the Middle East, the present situation in Libya, Turkey’s application to join the European Union, and the bilateral cooperation in the OSCE, of which Malta has now assumed the Presidency. During the meeting both sides discussed the strengthening of commercial relations.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Doi

Source: medNews

TIRANA (ALBANIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A joint commitment to promote initiatives in favour of the sustainable development of Albania and its SMEs was agreed between the Italian and Albanian authorities.
This is the main objective of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the CEO of CDP Dario Scannapieco, the CEO of SIMEST Regina Corradini D’Arienzo and the Secretary General of the National Economic Council Arben Shkodra. The agreement marks the start of the process for the recognition of the role of CDP in Albania as an Italian Financial Institution for International Development Cooperation. The signing took place during a visit to the Albanian capital Tirana by a delegation from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti during which the CEO of CDP met with the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the Minister for Entrepreneurship Delina Ibrahimaj, the Minister of Finance Ervin Mete and the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Environment Vilma Bello. The meetings were an opportunity to illustrate the strategy that CDP intends to pursue to support the country’s public and private sector in favour of sustainable and inclusive growth.

“The ties between Italy and Albania,” added Regina Corradini D’Arienzo, CEO of SIMEST – “are close, not only due to geographical proximity but also due to a substantial similarity in the composition of the industrial context. SIMEST is already present in the Western Balkans, offering businesses its range of products, from subsidized finance to participatory investments and strategic consultancy. With today’s agreement, we are committed to strengthen our activity in Albania, in order to facilitate new opportunities for cooperation with the production sector and to consolidate commercial relations between Italian and local companies.”

The objectives of the agreement also include the identification of areas of common interest to seize opportunities for financing projects in Albania capable of facilitating the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a positive impact on the climate; the development of joint initiatives to promote collaboration between SMEs, leveraging the financial instruments available to CDP and SIMEST, also through the Business Matching platform; support bilateral investments and share information on opportunities in areas and sectors of mutual interest.

For Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, the agreement with Albania is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its activity of supporting the sustainable growth initiatives of companies in emerging economies following the inauguration of the first non-EU branch in Belgrade – Banca Intesa Beograd . The opening of two new representative offices in North Africa is planned in the coming months, in Cairo in Egypt and in Rabat in Morocco.

Furthermore, during the day, the CEO of CDP signed a financing contract for a total amount of 10 million euros with Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, represented at the signing ceremony by its CEO Alessandro D’Oria. The initiative is part of a financing program divided into several tranches which will affect other countries where Intesa Sanpaolo is present. The funds, made available by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti as part of the Western Balkans Investment Framework initiative promoted by the European Union, are intended to Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, the only Italian bank operating in the country (through loans disbursed directly), to support the growth of Albanian small and medium-sized businesses with favourable interest rates. CDP resources will be able to generate a leverage effect equal to at least double the amount of the loan, for a total of no less than 20 million euros. The initiative will support at least 50 local businesses, create new jobs and contribute to the achievement of five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

– Photo Cdp press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta and Latvia discussing pertinent international issues during the official discussions between the President of Malta George Vella and the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics. In Malta, the two Presidents discussed opportunities to further deepen the bilateral relations and exchanged views on international issues. President Vella shared his views on pressing international matters, and the active role that Malta is taking in trying to resolve them, particularly at the United Nations Security Council and as the OSCE Chair-in-Office for 2024. The two Presidents condemned Russiàs illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine. “We will equally maintain the unwavering support for Ukrainès sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have been vocal in condemning these acts and maintain that perpetrators must be held accountable,” said President Vella. The President of Malta referred to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, denouncing the unfolding daily tragedy and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. “Dialogue is key. It is imperative that all parties, including the EU, work together with regional and global partners to promote a genuine political horizon which safeguards a Two-State Solution based on pre-1967 borders, addressing the legitimate concerns and aspirations of both sides, in line with relevant UNSC Resolutions,” appealed President Vella. The issue of irregular migration was also discussed. President Vella underlined Maltàs concern about the migratory pressures from the Central Mediterranean route, with the significant increase of arrivals since 2020. “This is a challenge for the EU and not just a matter for a few frontline Member States. There is a need to strengthen the southern borders and combat human trafficking and smuggling,” stated the President. President George Vella and his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkevics also focused on the enlargement of the European Union against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about the Future of the EU.

foto: DOI

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Foreign Minister met Ukrainès President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on his first official visit on behalf of the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe, which Malta is currently chairing.
Borg also visited the Ukrainian villages of Borodyanka, Bucha and Gostomel, which have been battered by war following Russiàs invasion. He also met with Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba, to discuss in further detail Ukrainian priorities for the OSCE. Borg was also given a presentation of the work that the OSCE officials are doing in Ukraine. “This first visit as Chairperson-in-Office emphasises our determined commitment that, as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and also as Malta, the Ukrainian cause remains a priority on the international agenda,” Borg said.
The President of Ukraine thanked Malta for having hosted a peace meeting last October. Zelensky thanked Malta for its aid and stressed that the friendship between both countries was “getting stronger than ever” with Maltàs active support in the Ukraine Peace Formula. In a statement on X, Zelensky said the October peace talks had elevated the discussion to a “new, high level”. The October peace talks involved representatives of 66 countries and international organisations, although Russia and China did not participate. He urged Malta to direct the OSCE’s efforts to help locate Ukrainian citizens detained inside Russia, children in particular.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Osce –

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – 125 migrants were reported adrift in Malta’s search and rescue area. The international NGO Alarm Phone said it was in contact with the group of migrants in distress who escaped from Libya. “They report high waves and that their engine stopped working last night. They are calling for rescue,” said Alarm Phone, while alerting the authorities to send immediate rescue. Meanwhile, the German NGO Sea Watch confirmed that the 125 migrants are on a small boat, in high waves and heavy rain. “We saw them. Frontex must have seen them as they overflew the estimated position,” claimed the NGO. Sea Watch added that the Libyan coastguard arrived in the area and pushed the migrants back to Libya illegally.
(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Sea Watch

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the revised agreement between the 27 Heads of State and Government on the revision of the mid-term European Budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, the MFF.
Prime Minister Robert Abela added the agreement was beneficial to not only the European Union but also Malta. He added the agreement will help south European countries to continue investing in socio-economic and sustainable development. “Thus, the root causes of migration will be addressed, reducing the influx towards our country and others in the region,” Abela said.
The Maltese Prime Minister referred to the humanitarian situation in Gaza. “A permanent ceasefire is needed while humanitarian aid should be provided as much as possible,” he insisted. “The dignity of the Palestinians needs to be respected, and therefore, we must continue to work towards a two-state solution while recognizing Israel’s right to protect itself.”
He appealed for a stronger position from the European Union regarding the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean to ensure the protection of human rights and to offer hope to the people affected by this conflict.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has reported that several Syrian mercenaries have been in Libya for an extended period and have not returned at all. Around 3,000 Syrian mercenaries loyal to Turkey have been observed fleeing military bases in Libya. Some escaped to various Libyan regions intending to work, while others left Libyan territory heading towards the European Union. “The number of Syrian mercenaries exceeded 7,000 a few months ago, with about 3,000 of them fleeing and becoming refugees in North Africa and Europe,” noted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Disputes erupted among Syrian mercenaries fighting in Libya following a reduction in their salaries. This has hindered the rotation process among the groups. According to the SOHR’s report, “the mercenaries or contractors are refusing to deploy to Libya after their salaries were cut by about $200 following the cessation of hostilities there. They were previously earning around $2,500 monthly. The disagreement over wages obstructs the rotation process, as individuals have remained there for over a year, even though rotations among groups are supposed to occur every three months”. The report added, “The decrease in the number of Syrian mercenaries in Libyan camps has compelled Turkey to increase monthly salaries from $200 to $375 amidst dissatisfaction from the factions loyal to Turkey over the meager monthly wages that barely cover food and drink expenses”. The report concluded, “Turkish intelligence is preparing to transfer new batches of mercenaries to Libya and repatriate others in exchange”.Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Moammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews