Ambassador of Italy to Montenegro, Mr Luca Zeliolli, talks about the situation with the coronavirus in Italy. He stressed how important it is to adhere to all measures imposed by competent authorities and hopes that experience of Italy will be useful for other countries.
Ambassador Zeliolli firmly believes that proud Montenegrin people will demonstrate the same amount of courage and resistance Italians showed.
CdM: What’s the current situation like in Italy?
Mr Zelioli: It is still pretty difficult, especially in northern part of the country where the infection is concentrated. However, although the overall picture is worrying, we have the first signs of the pandemic slowdown .
Slowdown trend was recorded on 5 April, i.e. less victims and admissions to hospital have been confirmed.
We believe this could be the first signal that measures taken are starting to produce effects. But this virus is still a very dangerous enemy because it is mostly unknown.
CdM: Are there any key reasons why so many people got infected and died?
Mr Zelioli: As long as this is going on, you don’t have much time to examine and analyze. It is, therefore, hard to cite reasons why the infection started in the north which is the richest and the most developed part of our country. We should remember that Italy was the first European country to be affected with what WHO declared pandemic. Italy didn’t have time to prepare for the crisis.
CdM: Why did the EU ignore the situation in Italy? Are Italian people angry?
Mr Zelioli: Europe itself was surprised with the outbreak. Potential risk might have been underestimated in the beginning but I don’t think the EU ignored the situation. As soon as it became clear what the scope of the situation is, Europe started considering the ways of dealing with it.
On the other hand, another challenge lies ahead: the EU will have to demonstrate unity and solidarity when this is all over. I hope that existing opposing views will bring us closer.
Finally, we are all witnesses of the European solidarity here in Montenegro, the candidate country: EU/Member States provided financial assistance immediately.
CdM: In your opinion, how is Montenegro dealing with COVID-19?
Mr Zelioli: In my opinion, Montenegro, country which started preparing before the first case broke out, is dealing with this crisis as best as it can, in accordance with its possibilities and capacities.
Hopefully, Italy’s experience will be helpful for other countries. I firmly believe proud Montenegrin people will demonstrate the same amount of courage and resistance.
The first obstacle to the contagion is respecting all measures.
