CAIRO: Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi has said he had a positive meeting concerning the 8 Italian consultants working for Egypt's Cleopatra industrial group who have been held at the group's Ain Sokhna factory during a workers strike and dispute over pay. “Our diplomatic mission in the Egyptian capital took immediate action, in liaison with the Ministry's Crisis Unit and the other offices in the Ministry with competence in this area. And I followed the case in person,” said the Foreign Minister in a statement on Friday. Italian diplomats have said they have kept in constant contact with the Italians involved, and took steps at all levels with Egypt's government and military leaders, who were involved in managing the case. “The action of our Embassy and of the Ministry itself”, declared Terzi, “was decisive in obtaining the release of the hostages. This was achieved peacefully and with no injuries, even against the background of a difficult and complex crisis. This case is further confirmation of the great ‘capital' of esteem that Italy enjoys at all levels in Egypt. Esteem that is the fruit of a sound and lasting partnership that unites us with a country that is key to the region and its equilibria.” It is unclear what the final endgame is for the Italian workers or the factory employees, but worries are that the consultants could face unprecedented setbacks if they continue to be held. The Italian government has called on the military junta to release the workers and allow them to return home. It comes on the heels of a Egypt government case against 43 NGO workers, including 19 Americans, over “illegal funding.” The Americans, despite the case continuing, have returned to the United States and could be charged in absentia. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/N89PG Tags: Ain Sokhna, Consultants, featured, Held, Italy Section: Egypt, Europe, Latest News
