U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Elizabeth L. Dibble delivered remarks at a luncheon today hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy. Chargé Dibble, traveling to northern Italy for the first time since assuming her current position in Rome, outlined the broad economic and foreign policy priorities of the Obama administration. To an audience composed of business and finance leaders, she underscored the administration's short-term focus on stimulating the economy and creating jobs through the Economic Stimulus Package.

She also discussed the administration's emphasis on innovation and technology as the key to increased productivity and long-term growth, and expressed the hope that Italian companies could play an important role in this transformation. Chargé Dibble then used the opportunity to touch on broader US foreign policy issues, such as strong cooperation on NATO security missions and the upcoming G-8 summit and ministerial meetings that will bring President Obama to Sardinia in July. In a question and answer session following her remarks, AmCham members probed the Chargé further on the impact of the worldwide economic crisis and the reaction to the Economic Stimulus Package.

The audience of approximately 50 AmCham members throughout northern Italy, expressed the hope that the administration’s efforts will not only bring the U.S. out of recession but also help mitigate the effects of the economic crisis worldwide, especially in Italy.