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Europe
Italy |
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Last reviewed: 22 May 2009 |
Country information
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Italy's relations with the UK
About 4-5 million British visitors visit Italy each year, while just over 1 million Italians visit the UK. There are 100,000 Britons resident in Italy, while 150,000 Italians live in the UK. Italy is an important partner of the United Kingdom, both in the bilateral context and in our work together as members of the European Union, NATO, G8 and other international organisations. This relationship is strengthened by frequent contacts at ministerial level. Co-operation in other areas includes the annual British-Italian Conference “Pontignano”, which brings together opinion formers from both countries to debate topical issues. This year the conference will be moved for the first time, for its 18th edition, from its traditional home in Pontignano to Rome, though it will keep the “Pontignano” name. President Napolitano has attended the conference.
Cultural Relations with the UK
Italian influence on Britain's cultural and social development has been profound. The Renaissance, probably the most significant cultural explosion to affect the UK began in Italy. Italian literature influenced Chaucer, Milton and the Romantic poets. Many of Shakespeare's plays are set in Italy and Italian architects, painters, musicians and composers have all made a great impact in the UK.
British contemporary visual and performing arts are well respected in Italy and there is a constant and lively exchange at all levels. British contemporary art, architecture and design has a high profile in the Italian media and British music, ranging from the main classical orchestras and conductors to popular DJs, figures prominently on the Italian scene.
British Council, Italy
The British Council has operated in Italy for sixty years and organises events and exchanges in the fields of the arts, education, governance and science. It runs English language courses from its four centres in Italy and provides information services on UK education and other areas of interest to Italians.
The UK is represented in Italy through the British Embassy in Rome, Consulate General in Milan, Consulates in Florence and Naples, and a network of honorary consuls. The British Council has offices in Rome, Milan, Bologna and Venice.
Recent Visits
Inward
- Former President and Mrs Ciampi paid an Official State Visit to Britain in March 2005.
- President Napolitano and Sigra Napolitano paid a private visit to London in October 2006 during which they met with HM The Queen.
- The Prime Minister Rt. Hon Tony Blair met with Romano Prodi in London on 6 November 2006.
- The Foreign Secretary David Milliband met with Franco Frattini in London on 30 July 2008.
- Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi attended the London Summit and associated events in April 2009, and met HM the Queen, HRH the Prince of Wales, and Prime Minister Brown.
Outward
- HM The Queen paid a State Visit to Italy in October 2000 accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
- HRH Prince of Wales paid a working visit to Rome, Florence and Naples in November 2002.
- HRH Prince of Wales visited Turin and the Piedmont region at the end of October 2004 to attend the Slow Food Movement’s biannual international food and drink show.
- Former Chancellor of the Exchequer (and current Prime Minister) Gordon Brown met the Italian Prime Minister in February 2007 during the course of an official visit to Rome.
- Speakers of both the House of Commons and House of Lords visited Rome in March 2007 to attend the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Treaty of Rome.
- Former SoS for Work and Pensions Rt. Hon John Hutton attended the National Conference on Family in Italy in May 2007.
- Europe Minister Jim Murphy paid a working visit to Rome in May 2008
