President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano has conferred on Major General Ahmed Al Tuniaji, former Naval Forces Commander and Mahsh Saeed Al Hamili, Director of the International Security Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, in recognition to their distinguished efforts in strengthening the cooperation ties between the UAE and Italy in all fields.
Italian Ambassador to UAE Giorgio Starace decorated Al Tunaiji and Al Hamili during a ceremony held here yesterday at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salem Al Musharrakh, Commander of UAE Naval Forces and a number of Emirati and Italian military commanders.
He congratulated them for obtaining the Order of Merit, commending the level of relations between the two countries and progress being experienced by the UAE.
For his part, Al Tunaiji expressed pleasure and pride about the Order granted to them by the President of Italy, regarding them as tokens of love and friendship between President and government of Italy with the UAE and its people. He added that such an honour from Italy further boosts the relations between the UAE led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Italy.
Al Hamili also thanked the Italian government, the Italian envoy and the Embassy staff for the noble gesture, adding that the honouring of two Emiratis is an appreciation to excellent ties between Italy and the UAE led by Sheikh Khalifa, and to the government led by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
He added that in accordance to the directives of the UAE President and follow up from H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, 72 embassies, 13 consulates general and other three diplomatic missions were set up to serve citizens abroad. While the UAE hosts about 103 embassies, 71 consulates general and 15 offices and international organisations to enhance cooperation with different countries worldwide.