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VIPs in Rome comment on death of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro

Xinhua, November 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

VIPs in Rome on Saturday paid attention to the passing of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who died at age of 90.

"The passing of Fidel Castro marks the closure of a great and dramatic page of the 20th century," tweeted Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, adding "We stand close to the Cuban people, who looks to the future."

In later remarks during a visit in the earthquake-stricken city of Tolentino in Italy's central Marche region, Gentiloni added that "an extraordinary agreement was reached two years ago thanks to (U.S. President Barack) Obama, to (current Cuban president) Raul Castro, and to the Holy See, which has not yet been completed."

"The embargo must be lifted and I hope to see the completion of that agreement in the coming months and years, with a lifting of the blockade and a resumption of normal relations between Cuba and the United States," said Gentiloni.

The Italian government will be present at Castro's funeral, the minister said.

"Fidel Castro was a decisive man and a historic figure," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who is Italian, said in a statement.

"He died at a time of great challenges and uncertainties, as well as of great changes for Cuba. The European Union has opened a new chapter in its already close relations with Cuba, and will continue to carry on its strong commitment to Cuba," she said.

Italy's MP Carla Ruocco from the opposition party 5-Star Movement (M5S), currently the second-largest political force in Italy after Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's center-left Democratic Party (PD), appeared to compare Fidel Castro to late M5S founder Gianroberto Casaleggio, who died in April this year.

"No true revolutionary dies in vain," she quoted Fidel in a tweet, with pictures of the later Cuban leader and of Casaleggio. Endit