Rome, Italy — The government of Italy is rallying behind the Philippines’ legal strategy to bring China to a United Nations (UN) tribunal over Beijing’s aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea. Both Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Italian President Sergio Mattarella extended their solidarity with Philippine President Aquino for a peaceful and rules-based resolution of the maritime conflict during his first visit to the capital. BILATERAL WALK — President Aquino troops the line with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi as the Philippine leader is accorded arrival honors at the courtyard of the Palazzo Chigi in Italy on Wednesday. (Malacañang Photo Bureau) The Philippine leader, who is on a four-day official visit here, held separate meetings with Renzi and Mattarella discussing efforts to increase bilateral trade and investments, combat terrorism, pursue the Mindanao peace process, among others. “Italy affirms PH’s adherence to UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the [...]
