This visit payed tribute to the diverse and long-standing ties between the two countries, which are supported by a wealth of close personal relationships, political and economic partnership, and decades of intensive cultural exchange. Moreover, the two countries are united by their joint commitment to climate protection and by their efforts to address global warming, as well as by vibrant scientific cooperation.
The state visit started with a joint tour of the exhibition "Off to Italy! With Liebermann in Venice, Florence and Rome" at the Liebermann Villa by the Wannsee in Berlin.
The Federal President and Elke Büdenbender welcomed President Mattarella and Laura Mattarella with military honours outside Schloss Bellevue on 27 September. This was followed by political talks and a press conference hosted by both Heads of State. Meanwhile, Elke Büdenbender and Laura Mattarella payed a visit to the Fotografiska Museum Berlin. A state banquet was held at Schloss Bellevue in the evening in honour of the Italian President.
On 28 September, Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender accompanied their guests to Cologne and Bonn. They visited the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat in Bonn, where they attended a conference on the cooperation between Germany and Italy in the fight against climate change as well as on cooperation in the global energy transition. This was followed by a joint boat trip to Cologne.
A visit to Cologne Cathedral took place in the afternoon, followed by a meeting with representatives of the Italian community in the historic City Hall. The state visit ended with a dinner hosted by Hendrik Wüst, Minister-President of Land North Rhine-Westphalia, at the Festhaus Flora in the Botanical Garden.
Overview of the programme
Thursday, 26 September
- Liebermann Villa by the Wannsee
Tour of the exhibition “Off to Italy! With Liebermann in Venice, Florence and Rome”
Friday, 27 September
- Welcome by the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender with military honours
- Signing of the visitors’ book and talks
- Joint press conference
- Schloss Bellevue
State banquet in honour of Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, and his daughter Laura Mattarella, hosted by the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender
Saturday, 28 September
- Arrival at Cologne Bonn Airport
- Bonn, UN Campus Bonn, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1
Participation in the conference on cooperation between Germany and Italy and its importance in the fight against climate change and for the global energy transition - Walk together to the landing stage by the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat
- Boat trip together to Cologne
- Tour of Cologne Cathedral
- Cologne’s historic City Hall
Meeting with representatives of the Italian community and signing of the Golden Book of the City of Cologne - Festhaus Flora in the Botanical Garden
Welcome by Hendrik Wüst, Minister-President of Land North Rhine-Westphalia, and dinner hosted by the Minister-President
