Italy’s prime minister has been given a warm welcome on his visit to the White House.
US President Obama gave strong backing to Matteo Renzi’s attempts to streamline Italy’s political system and boost its economy.
In a few weeks Renzi will face a referendum on constitutional reform on which he had initially staked his premiership but more latterly has not been so outspoken on the matter of potential resignation.
Obama said that Renzi’s “bold” and “progressive” leadership was just what Europe needed at a time of soul-searching.
The US president had invited Renzi for Obama’s final official visit and state dinner. At the arrival ceremony, Obama said: “We saved the best for last” before giving him the full red-carpet treatment. Renzi has been one of few world leaders to be given such a reception at Obama’s White House.
“I mean, look at him,” Obama declared. “He’s young, handsome. He’s put forth a vision of progress that’s not rooted in people’s fears, but rather in their hopes.”
After meeting privately, the two leaders held a joint news conference at which they promoted the strong relations between the US and Italy. “In good times and in bad, we count on each other,” Obama said.
During the arrival proceedings, Obama strongly praised the impact of Italian-Americans had had on forming the US nation. He said they had often arrived with nothing, had to overcome prejudice and discrimination, but relied on their faith and the love of family to succeed.
Obama said that experience reveals a “truth we must never forget, and that is that America was built by immigrants, America is stronger because of immigrants, America is great because of immigrants”.
