The Italian Air Force Officer attended the reception organised to celebrate the 68th Anniversary of the Italian Republic Day. Among the reception attendees was Lieutenant Colonel Walter Villadei, an Italian Air Force cosmonaut, who is currently undertaking an advanced training phase at the “Y. Gagarin” Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Moscow. On this occasion, the Ambassador held a private meeting with the Italian Air Force Officer to discuss various space-related topics: from the specifics of training and the potential of the International Space Station as a platform for scientific and technological experimentation, to the development of space cooperation with the Russian side, currently the sole provider of spacecraft for transporting astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
To confirm the Ambassador's strong interest in these issues, the possibility of a visit to the Training Centre was discussed.
