MANAGUA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Nicaragua said Thursday that it had severed diplomatic relations with Italy in response to what it called "unjustified, aggressive and irresponsible statements" by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
In a statement, the Nicaraguan government accused Tajani of insulting the people and government of Nicaragua with "European arrogance."
Tajani has recently publicly repeated Italy's request for the extradition of Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the Red Brigades convicted over his role in the kidnapping and murder of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978. He also questioned the protection Casimirri has received from the government in Managua for decades.
"Italy will continue to demand that Casimirri face justice in Italy for the offences of which he has been found guilty, as has already been called for in a resolution of the European Parliament," Tajani said.
Nicaragua said that, as "a forceful expression of our sovereignty and national dignity," it had decided to break diplomatic relations with Italy.
Responding to Nicaragua's decision to break ties, the Italian Foreign Ministry reiterated Tajani's call for Casimirri to be extradited.
Nicaragua said the two countries had, over the past years, experienced "good times of absolute respect," expressing regret over the current deterioration in relations.
The Nicaraguan government said it hoped "better days" would come and that it would carry out the necessary procedures to implement what it called a "sovereign and dignified" decision. ■
