Italian Ambassador presents credentials to President Madagascar

(ANSA) - CITTÀ DEL CAPO, 17 OTT - On 16 October, the Italian Ambassador to South Africa, Alberto Vecchi, presented letters of credence to Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina in Antananarivo, the country's capital.
    Ambassador Vecchi had met the day before with Madagascar's Foreign Minister, Mrs. Rafaravavitafika Rasata. The Minister expressed the Madagascar government's firm desire to strengthen its partnership with Italy. In an interview in front of the Iavoloha Palace, President Rajoelina's residence, Vecchi said, "During the bilateral meeting with the President, we discussed the many opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Madagascar and Italy. We have many, an extraordinary potential. We spoke specifically about agriculture, vocational training, tourism and trade. Italy wants to become an important partner of Madagascar, and I am sure we could work and build a lot and well together." The Italian Embassy in Pretoria is also the accredited diplomatic mission in Madagascar, Lesotho, Mauritius and Namibia. Ambassador Vecchi presented letters of credentials in all five countries.