Eu Day Light

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani issued a statement following the death of Raffaele Costa after a long illness. Tajani said Costa had been an important figure in Italian politics, committed to defending liberal values and fighting the excesses of bureaucracy.

Tajani said: “Raffaele Costa has left us after a long illness. With him, Italian politics has lost a great figure, a true liberal, a man committed to defending values and fighting the excesses of bureaucracy that paralyze entrepreneurs’ activities and create major difficulties for citizens.”

Tajani said he had worked with Costa in the past: “I had the opportunity to be his parliamentary assistant and later his colleague in the European Parliament.” He noted that Costa had played an important role in the political life of Forza Italia and in government work from 1994 onward.

Addressing Costa, Tajani said: “Dear Lello, we will miss you. But your politics and your battles will continue through those who shared your choices. First among them is your son Enrico, our group leader in the Chamber of Deputies and your worthy heir.”

Tajani also expressed his gratitude to Costa, saying: “I will always be grateful to you for believing in me even when I was a young university student. Rest in peace, dear friend. I embrace your family on behalf of our entire movement.”