«From Russia unacceptable aggression, today we are witnessing attempts to identify paths towards peace»- Corriere.it

We publish the full speech given by the head of state, Sergio Mattarella, at the concert on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day.

I thank the conductor Speranza Scappucci and the RAI National Symphony Orchestra for the concert they will soon offer us. A splendid opportunity for art that we will also share with those who follow us through television and other means of communication: my most cordial greetings to all.

Together with the representatives of the institutions of the Republic gathered here, I welcome the Ambassadors accredited to the Quirinale. Your presence represents a further testimony to the solid bonds of friendship that unite our countries.

On 2nd June, the Feast of the Italiansthe moment of celebration of birth of the republicwhose principles are enshrined in the Constitutional charter whose 75th anniversary of its entry into force we are celebrating this year.

In recent days, I have received many expressions of closeness for the tragic floods that hit Emilia Romagna and neighboring areas. I am deeply touched by it. Numerous countries have shown concrete solidarity and I wish to thank them on behalf of our community.

Not surprisingly, I used the word solidarity: a value also inscribed among the first articles of our Constitution which, in recognizing and guaranteeing the inviolable rights of the person, recalls the duty of political, economic and social solidarity. A value that has a universal character, aimed at the entire human community, and which our founding charter has made its own.

The Republican Constitution, daughter of the redemption from the tragic experiences of the dictatorship and the Second World War, indicates the repudiation of war as a dispute resolution tool. It is a very topical and deeply felt principle, of which the unacceptable aggression of the Russian Federation on Ukraine represents the most brutal and obvious denial. The conflict which has been producing death and devastation in the heart of Europe for over fifteen months is also causing very serious consequences at a global level, accentuating food insecurity and poverty in many countries, which are also victims of the consequences of this senseless war, whose effects are reverberating on the international order patiently built after 1945.

We attend today with interest and attention to attempts to identify paths of dialogue to reach peace.

The principles of solidarity and justice which must unite peoples require the search for a just peace and not a peace achieved against those who have been attacked.

in this spirit that Italy, within the framework of its convinced membership of the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance, will continue to pledge its support to the Ukrainian people and their right to independence.

The search for peace and well-being among nations requires commitment and willingness to identify common solutions together. this is the basis of our choice in favor of the multilateralism.

Only authentic collaboration between peoples can enable us to successfully tackle global problems that are more pressing every day: from climate change to health protection, from the management of migratory flows to the protection of human rights. This is confirmed by experiences such as the process of European integration, which for almost seventy years has guaranteed freedom and growth opportunities to the member states.

The conflict in Ukraine, the growing tensions we have recently witnessed in the Balkans, require courageous choices, capable of consolidate and ensure the expansion of the community projectto make it fit to face the challenges of the present time.

Italy will continue to work so that the European Union can increasingly be an actor capable of projecting peace, stability and development on a global level. With these intentions I wish everyone a happy Italian Republic Day.

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