The Italian Legacy in the Dominican Republic

THE ITALIAN LEGACY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

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Within the framework of this diplomatic visit, Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Vargas Mal-

donado signed agreements on judicial cooperation and extradition, as well as cooperation in the fields of cinema

and the environment. Most importantly, the signing of the judicial cooperation and extradition agreements

served as cornerstones in the rekindling of relations between Italy and the Dominican Republic. As discussed

with the Dominican authorities, these covenants were important not only for their specific usefulness, but also

as clear indications of the turning of a new page in diplomatic relations. Italy and the Dominican Republic need-

ed to present themselves as two mutually committed nations, capable of creating important economic and po-

litical opportunities. They could not be regarded, not

even in the eyes of the public, as nations mainly asso-

ciated by problems, including those related to criminal

activities. For these reasons, the Dominican Republic,

sharing my idea of relaunching relations, decided to

quickly and favorably bring negotiations to a close that

had been stagnant for more than forty years.

I was convinced that we had to shift our atten-

tion from problems which needed to be resolved and

focus on the history that united both countries, high-

lighting the important bond formed by the Italian

community in the Dominican Republic and, above

all, on the opportunities that could be created for the

benefit of both nations.

On September 19, 2019, to begin the cultural year

of the Quincentennial of the arrival in Santo Domingo

of the First Resident Bishop, Alessandro Geraldini—as

Eduardo Selman,

Minister of Culture;

Mrs. Gloria Mejia

Selman; Maria Amalia

Leon, Director General

of the Leon Center;

artist Lidia Leon;

Andrea Canepari,

Ambassador of Italy;

and Dr. Roberta

Canepari, at the

luncheon in honor of

the first participation

of the Dominican

Republic at the Venice

Biennale of Art 2019.

March 21, 2019.

Italian National Day,

Santo Domingo,

May 29, 2019.