(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 18 - The Vespucci's tall ship's role as a "messenger of peace, friendship and harmony between peoples" was the main theme of the opening day on Tuesday of Villaggio Italia, the travelling expo on the best of Made in Italy design and innovation.
    "When it operates as a system, Italy triumphs and it has no rivals," said Defence Undersecretary Matteo Perego di Cremnago as he opened a Forum organized by ANSA in Doha for the 30th stage of the world tour of the Italian Navy's training ship.
    The Vespucci-Villaggio Italia project, passionately wanted by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, is a big challenge that is generating "great sources of satisfaction", the undersecretary stressed.
    It's an initiative that shows the importance of having "a strategic vision", he said, "a great idea whose effects will be seen in the coming years".
    The day began with the official inauguration of Villaggio Italia with the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony.
    Its pavilions will remain open until December 22, giving visitors the opportunity to take part in the numerous free events, talks and concerts that will enrich the programme of the Doha stage of the tour.
    "If I had to define Italy with a word, I'd say Italy is the Amerigo Vespucci," said Perego in his speech at the inauguration.
    Italy's Ambassador to Qatar Paolo Toschi said that: "the Vespucci is the most powerful image of Italy".
    Difesa Servizi CEO Luca Andreoli added that: "this is not just our Villaggio Italia, it's your Villaggio Italia, a place of encounter, of dialogue between peoples and cultures".
    Relations between Italy and Qatar were at the centre of the ANSA Forum, during which the defence undersecretary highlighted the many "partnerships and friendships" that link the two countries and offer excellent prospects for the development of bilateral relations.
    These have already been consolidated by the supply of ships made by Fincantieri and Leonardo to the Qatari fleet and by other important agreements in the defence sector and other fields.
    Toschi agreed on that assessment and stressed a common element that brings closer Italy and Qatar, albeit each with its own specific nature, in the world of communication and media.
    "Qatar is the country that has the Arab world's top network and it is well aware of the value of news," he said, "and it built part of its international role on this".
    ANSA Chief Executive Stefano De Alessandri took part in the forum along with three representatives of the design world - Alia Rachid, the founder of FROMM brand, Marco Bruno, a lecturer with the Virginia Commonwealth University, and Shaikha Al-Sulaiti of the Doha Design District.
    They talked about their experiences in this country and relations between Qatar and Italy.
    The encounter closed with story of Andrea Stella, the creator of the 'Spirito di Stella', a catamaran designed to be totally accessible to the disabled which is following the Amerigo Vespucci on its world tour.
    It landed in Doha under Commander Tullio Picciolini. (ANSA).