Federal Executive Council; 150th anniversary of Italian unity

On Thursday 2 June 2011, at Government House, Canberra, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, at Via dei Fori Imperiale, Rome, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC attended a military parade in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Italian unity.

During the course of the afternoon, the Governor-General met with a number of foreign dignitaries including the Acting President of the Republic of Moldova, His Excellency Mr Marian Lupu, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki Moon, President of the European Council, Mr Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the Republic of Chile, His Excellency Mr Sebastian Pinera, the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Mr Xi Jinping, the Vice President of the United States of America, the Honorable Joseph Biden, and the President of Afghanistan, His Excellency Mr Hamid Karzai.

Later, at the Westin Hotel, Rome, the Governor-General met with the President of the Republic of Finland, Her Excellency Ms Tarja Halonen.

Then, at the Marriott Hotel, Rome, the Governor-General met with the President of the Republic of Ireland, Her Excellency Ms Mary McAleese.

In the evening, at Quirinale Palace, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, attended a dinner in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Italian unity, hosted by the President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Giorgio Napolitano.