Secretary-General of the Italian-Arab Friendship Association Stresses Its Role in Addressing Arab Issues and Building Strong Relations with Italian Society

The Secretary-General of the Italian-Arab Friendship Association, Franco Abdelkader Omeich, emphasized that the Association is one of the oldest Arab-Italian associations in Italy, playing a significant role in the media and cultural fields. Its goal is to address all Arab issues and establish solid relationships with Italian associations and institutions.

In an interview with the National News Agency, Omeich said that the Association was founded in late 1994, with the support and recommendation of the Council of Arab Ambassadors, to develop and improve communication channels and strengthen the bonds of friendship with the Italian state, its people, institutions, and civil society.

He added, "There is no doubt that the development of the Italian-Arab Friendship Association has gone through different stages. Sometimes its activity was strong and deeply rooted within Italian society and institutions, and at other times, like all associations, it experienced some decline. However, it never reached the point of dissolution, despite the logistical and financial difficulties it faced. Despite everything, we cannot deny that the Association has always maintained communication and good relations with the state and influential Italian societal institutions, especially media and press organizations."

Regarding the Association's key activities, Omeich noted, "The main activities of the Italian-Arab Friendship Association are cultural, often focusing on Arab issues, explaining and clarifying them to Italian society. These are legitimate issues, adopted by the Arab League, and the Association has continued to play an important role in strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations between Italy and Arab countries through the relationships it has cultivated over decades with various segments of Italian society and decision-makers. Of course, the Association has always adhered to Arab consensus and has consistently focused its policy on Arab unity and consensus."

As for the Association's media role and its website, he highlighted that, over the past four years, its media work has developed significantly. The Association's website is now managed by the veteran journalist Roberto Ruggero, with 27 staff members, including 12 based in Arab countries, providing daily news.

He continued, "A quick look at the website www.assadakah.net reveals the wide range of articles and topics published daily on Arab countries, covering cultural, developmental, and economic fields, in addition to political positions on Arab countries facing injustice. The Association has continued its media work based on voluntary contributions and the efforts of its members, training media professionals. We are proud that around 20,000 readers visit our website daily to browse articles and bulletins."

Regarding the association's relationship with Arab embassies in Rome, he said: "Our relations are good, even very good, with all Arab embassies, as we consider them our brothers. We are in constant contact with everyone without exception, and we have never stopped this communication. The just Arab causes always unite us."

He noted that since the association's founding, it has appointed representatives abroad whose role is crucial in providing media material and communication in the countries they reside in, such as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, and Egypt, as well as with the Arab League. Recently, representatives have been appointed in Libya and the Republic of Armenia. These representatives specialize in Arab and Gulf affairs."