Prefect of Reggio Calabria and British Ambassador: Meeting for Territorial Development and the Fight against Crime

Clara Vaccaro and Lord Edward Llewellyn Discuss Economic Opportunities and Security, with a Focus on Gioia Tauro and Collaboration between Italy and the UK

The prefect of Reggio Calabria Clara Vaccaro received the British ambassador to Italy and the Republic of San Marino, Lord Edward Llewellyn who was visiting the region. “The meeting was an opportunity for discussion – says a note from the Reggio Prefecture – on some issues of particular importance for the metropolitan area. The notable development opportunities linked, on the one hand, to the uniqueness of the natural and cultural heritage and, on the other, to the presence of the port of Gioia Tauro were highlighted. Possibility, therefore, of encouraging the economy linked to tourist flows, also thanks to the activation of new air connections with various countries, and of further implementing that linked to the exchange of goods through the important port infrastructure”. “The British ambassador – it is further stated in the note – has also shown interest in problems related to employment, particularly among young people, and in the activities implemented to ensure the reception of migrants. Further attention was paid to the situation of the settlements of agricultural workers in the Plain, which is being overcome with the creation of adequate housing solutions. Finally, the Prefect highlighted the incessant and fruitful work carried out by the police forces, coordinated by the judiciary, to combat organized crime. Lord Edward Llewellyn was also welcomed by the Calabria regional commander of the Guardia di Finanza, general Gianluigi D’Alfonso. “The meeting – reports a press release – confirms the fundamental collaboration between the Guardia di Finanza and the British diplomatic apparatus for the fight against the most advanced and modern forms of transnational organized crime. To this end, the ambassador, together with the British liaison magistrate in Italy, Sally Cullen and the political attaché of the British embassy, ​​Gerardo Kaiser, visited the port of Gioia Tauro, a very important commercial hub in the Mediterranean and landing point for intercontinental routes, where the Corps carries out its work of control and protection of legitimate trade together with the other relevant authorities, also combating transatlantic drug trafficking, which from 2020 to date has allowed the seizure of over 48 tons of cocaine”. “On this occasion, the high diplomat – it is written in the press release – expressed his appreciation for the work carried out by the Guardia di Finanza in combating the ‘Ndrangheta and illicit trafficking in general. The ambassador also visited the President of the Region Roberto Occhiuto, the prefect of Catanzaro Enrico Ricci, the Attorney General of Catanzaro, Giuseppe Lucantonio, and the Chief Prosecutor of Reggio Giovanni Bombardieri. Furthermore, as part of the visit carried out, he visited the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria”.