ROME -- VIP guests and senior diplomats gathered at the smart Excelsior Hotel on the Via Veneto to celebrate Kuwait's national day with the ambassador of the Emirate, Sheikh Jaber Dnaij Al-Ibrahim. 

 Among the guests was Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, Staffan De Mistura. "Bilateral relations between Italy and Kuwait are very strong and economic relations between our countries are optimal," he said.

 "In addition to major infrastructure projects, Italy and our firms have much to offer. There are opportunities in construction and hi-tech," said the under secretary. "In the emirate they appreciate our style and the quality of our products." He called for greater cooperation also on cultural projects.

 "We need to stimulate Kuwait to follow the example of what has been done by Italy with Qatat and the UAE, creating museums so that there are more exchanges between our art and their new art and Islamic art."