Italy confident diplomatic stand-off over marines will be resolved

Italy today expressed confidence that the diplomatic row with India over its refusal to send back two Italian marines will be overcome.

Describing the current standoff as "difficult moments" for the two countries, Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini said he will not shy away from finding a solution.

"I am confident that the two mature democracies such as ours will overcome these difficulties. We are working with Indian institutions and government to do whatever best can be done to overcome these current difficult moments," Mancini said at an event.

"We will not shy away from this. It is very much present in our mind," he said, a day after Ministry of External Affairs summoned him to convey India's position on this matter in the "strongest of terms".

Angered by a sudden u-turn by the Italian government which refused the return of two marines, charged with killing of two Indian fishermen last year, India yesterday demanded that they be sent back to face trial for homicide in the

country.

The marines --Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone- charged with homicide for killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February last year in an anti-piracy operation, were permitted by the apex court on 22nd of last month to go to Italy for four weeks for voting in India also rejected the stand of the Italian government which has gone back on its assurances.

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