Middle East, another 5,000 Italians returned. Tajani: "Emergency almost over"

The return of Italians from the Middle East continues. The emergency, according to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, is almost over. Between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, 'another five thousand Italians returned'. The total now makes about 25,000 compatriots who have returned from the area affected by the escalation of the crisis.

Tajani made the list of returning countries: 'United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Israel, Maldives, Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka. They are also returning from Israel'.

The foreign minister explained that 'there are also fewer requests from our embassies, our consulates, here at the Gulf Task Force'. The number of requests 'has decreased dramatically. Tourists have largely left. The emergency is not over, but it is certainly coming to an end'.

The situation in the Maldives 'remains open'. There, 'there are still a lot of people around, but flights are increasing and we are doing everything we can to bring them home. We will continue to help residents who are in danger areas to facilitate their departure. But I don't think we need to organise more charters, just accompany them with the scheduled flights that are leaving those countries'.

"I must say," he concluded, "that the work of our consulate and embassy in Colombo is very efficient. Many thanks come from citizens of other countries, who recognise the efficiency of our consulate and the other officials we sent to strengthen their work, because they achieved results that other countries could not achieve, because we were the only country present from an organisational point of view'.