L
adies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests, members of the media, it gives me great pleasure to be here today to help inaugurate the first flight of US Airways' non-stop service between Malpensa and Philadelphia.
Today is a great day for Italy and the United States. By linking Milan, the economic powerhouse and design capital of Italy, with Philadelphia, the cradle of American liberty and the “City of Brotherly Love,” we strengthen the bonds between our two countries.
This new transportation link between Philadelphia and Milan will expand the already substantial ties connecting northern Italy with the United States. By our count, there are now ten regularly-scheduled direct flights between Milan and the U.S.
We welcome Italians to the United States. These human exchanges deepen our partnership for the future. We particularly welcome students and businesspeople, as well as tourists.
Philadelphia International Airport is an excellent port of entry for visiting our East Coast, and has easy transportation connections to the rest of the U.S.
These flights also bring Americans to northern Italy, where we have important and growing connections. We estimate 30,000 American citizens live in northern Italy. Eight-five percent of all U.S. companies located in Italy are here, and they produce 65% of the total volume of bilateral trade. Italy-U.S. bilateral trade continues to grow, representing more than $38 billion in 2005.
Approximately 1.5 million U.S. tourists visited northern Italy last year. I am convinced that, after watching the Torino Olympics on TV, even more Americans will visit next year!
We would like even more Italians to visit the U.S. As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff recently stated, we have Secure Borders and Open Doors.
The United States is a welcoming country, encouraging citizens from all over the world to visit, study, and do business. Advances in security help ensure a more efficient welcome to visitors.
We are committed to ensure that the experience of travelers reflects the American welcoming spirit. We want you to come visit, and get to know us.
The use of Machine Readable Passports with digitized photographs has heightened security and added protection against identity theft, while decreasing traveler waiting times at ports of entry.
The next generation of travel documents, e-passports containing a chip with biometric information, will further strengthen international border security, while ensuring the individual's privacy.
The U.S., like many governments, is in the early stages of issuing such documents, in accordance with international standards. We expect to complete transition to exclusive production of e-passports by the end of 2006.
I am sure Italy is working hard to meet this international security requirement too, so Italian tourists can continue to travel without visas.
We welcome Italians to the United States via Philadelphia and other great sites to see! Congratulations to USAir and the authorities of Malpensa for this great advance in encouraging the exchange of visitors between our countries.
Additional Resources
• Consulate Milan's Visa Information Page.
• VWP – Visa Waiver Program (U.S. Department of State webpage).
• Visa Waiver Program Passport Requirements Timeline.
• Secure Borders – Open Doors
Additional Visa Information at:
www.unitedstatesvisas.gov
|
|
