Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Meets with Italian Foriegn Minister Paolo Gentiloni

February 11, 2015

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Great, okay. Well, I want to welcome everyone. It is such an honor to be here with the new foreign minister of my ancestral homeland, Paolo Gentiloni, who – we've had a great conversation about issues that the United States and Italy is facing in common. And I want to commend the foreign minister, because his government – in my opinion – is speaking strongly on the global stage and in the European context about the need to talk about a different kind of economic reality for people across the board. In the case of Italy, the government of Prime Minister Renzi has led the discussion in Europe against policies of austerity, that I think have backfired for the European people – my editorial comment. In the United States, we have the parallel question of income inequality, and what kind of policies will actually uplift people, and end an ever-greater inequality that's plaguing our nation.

So I think there's a parallel reality. The issues are discussed differently, they're called different things, but they have a common reality, and I think the Italian government is playing a very, very productive role in pushing for the kind of changes needed in the context of Europe. The foreign minister has been very gracious to offer me some – some analysis of the situation, and I want to express my appreciation. I had the honor of working with your predecessor, Ms. Mogherini, and we had a great opportunity to work together. I want you to know that the people of New York City feel a tremendous bond to Italy, because so many of us have origins in Italy, and feel a deep personal connection. 

We also appreciate that our two nations are so strongly tied – economically, culturally, et cetera – here in New York, nowhere is it more evident than here in New York. And we welcome you, and we congratulate you on your new role, and you should know that whenever you need an office when you're in the United States, this can be your second home here. We welcome you. 

Foreign Minister of Italy Paolo Gentiloni: Grazie. [Laughs] Thank you very much to Mayor Bill de Blasio. I was – I am enthusiastic of the – first of all, of the role that Mayor de Blasio has in – in giving an idea of the relation between America and Italy – New York and Italy – which is the idea that we should have. And also, the capacity of Mayor de Blasio to give an idea of the Italian community here, in the United States, which is the contemporary and real idea that we should have. Our community is a – I think, one of the important community of this extraordinary city, committed to work, jobs, business, culture, dialogue, fashion, food – whatever you want – and not so much to do with ancient stereotypes. And this is a tremendous contribution that the mayor is giving – on a cultural level, because those things – these things do not change in a few months. But you have to work on education, communication, and what we really are. And secondly, I am very, very happy to – to understand that Italy and the United States, and New York, which is the – in some way, one – perhaps the capital of the world. Our – I have the same perception with the mayor of what we have to try to do – difficulties for consumers, and for families, and things are gradually changing, and this is the moment – the exact moment – to put pressure in Europe, and in my country, to have a more proactive economic policy towards investment, jobs, and growth. And it is really fantastic that this view is shared on both parts of the Atlantic – I wouldn't say by everybody, but surely by the Italian foreign affair minister and the mayor of New York.

Mayor: [Laughs] Exactly.

Foreign Minister Gentiloni: Thank you very much.

Mayor: Thank you. Welcome, and thank you so much. Thank you, everyone. Thank you very much.