Accra, July 10, GNA - Italy has commended the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for its benchmark of consolidating peace and stability in strife-torn regions across the world, with an assurance that it would continue to support Ghana's international role in solving regional crisis.

"Italy appreciates the level of troop contribution to and for works done by Ghana's contingents to peacekeeping operations worldwide", visiting Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said on Tuesday in Accra.

"We are pleased with your sense of mission and the high level of professionalism being exhibited by your troops on peace missions, and we would continue to support you in your role", he said. Napolitano was addressing staff of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra as part of his official visit to Ghana.

Italy was a major contributor to the construction of the second phase of the KAIPTC- conference centre, student accommodation and dining facility- which was completed late 2005.

Italy also sponsors a training course for correction officers through partnership with the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA) at the University of Ghana.

President Napolitano, who was briefed on the purpose and function of the KAIPTC, said he was pleased to visit the Centre, which has succeeded in formulating high level programmes to enhance the skills of African peacekeepers as well as the international community. He expressed the hope that the KAIPTC would become a key benchmark for Ghana to consolidate its position on the African continent. The Italian President stated that his country further develop cooperation's between the centre and relevant Italian institutions to enhance the activities of the KAIPTC.

Defence Minister, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor extolled the relations between Ghana and Italy, which dated back to Ghana's independence era, with a number of Italian companies assisting in the nation's infrastructural development, notably the Akosombo Dam and the Tema Oil Refinery.

On the defence arena, cooperation between Italy and GAF has been significant, as Ghana purchased the Augusta Bell Helicopters and the Aermacchi fighter jets in use by the Air Force from Italy. Dr. Addo-Kufuor expressed government's appreciation to Italy for cancelling all bilateral debts and for the support for establishing the KAIPTC, a milestone in the existing cordial relationship between both countries, adding that government was committed to peacekeeping operations, and to the programmes organized at the Centre President Napolitano later planted a tree to symbolise his visit to the centre.

In a related development, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey also called at the KAIPTC on Tuesday as part of her visit to Ghana. Switzerland contributed to the establishment of the Centre.