Venice, 21-25 May 2013

The Fondazione Mediterraneo is a partner at an event that will take place in Venice, within which the General Meeting of the Italian Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation will take place.

The Fondazione Mediterraneo welcomed representatives from the world of culture, art, science and politics and well as military authorities during the 96th Edition of the Giro d’Italia.
This unique spectacle took place among the walls that have contributed to the writing of the pages of history over the last twenty years.

The President of the Fondazione Mediterraneo, Michele Capasso, together with Caterina Arcidiacono, Vice President and other members of the institution welcomed the President of the State of Palestine Mahmūd Abbās (Abū Māzen) to their headquarters in Naples where he received the “2013 Special Edition of the Mediterranean Award” ''for his action – as is stated in the reason -  “as the architect of dialogue in the fraught peace process between Israel and Palestine”.
A numerous Palestinian delegation attended  the ceremony led by the Palestinian Ambassador to Italy, Sabri Ateyehe, the Head of Palestinian Negotiations (former spokesman to Yasser Arafat) Saeb Erekat as well as ministers, diplomats and advisers to  Abū Māzen. Members of the Fondazione Mediterraneo spoke at the ceremony, together with delegations from various countries including diplomats and representatives from cultural, scientific, political, religious and military authorities from different countries as well as Mayors who support the “Totem for Peace” (author Mario Molinari).
In his speech, which was of high political-institutional content, President Abū Māzen emphasized the pivotal role of the peace process: “We have chosen the path of negotiation and only negotiation to achieve peace with Israel. There is no other way. In this historical building where the pages of the history of peace have been written thanks to the passion and commitment of President Capasso, I hope that one day we will write a happy page of history about the lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. I am honoured to have received this acknowledgement from the Fondazione Mediterraneo, which has been an anchor for peace and cooperation among peoples for more than twenty years”.

President Abū Māzen made a gift of a handcrafted work of art depicting Bethlehem representing the “Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus” and inaugurated the “Palestinian Room” at the Maison de la Méditerranée, and participated at a solemn flag-raising ceremony before the “Totem for Peace” by Mario Molinari: “This universal symbol of peace” he stated, “will soon be erected in Ramallah and I would like to welcome you all to our country for that occasion to celebrate this work of art for Peace”.