ROME -- The Italian government has informed Moscow that they must reverse the decision to place the Russian subsidiaries of Italy’s Ariston, which produces heating systems, under the control of Gazprom. Secretary General Riccardo Guariglia received Russia’s Ambassador to Italy, Alexey Paramonov at the foreign ministry in Rome on Monday. Paramonov was summoned by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Saturday. 

  Guariglia “expressed strong aversion from the Italian government” at the decision to transfer the management of both Ariston and the German company Bosch to Gazprom. “In line with our European partners and in particular with Germany, Italy asks the Russian Federation to withdraw the adopted measure against the legitimate economic activities of foreign companies in the country.” A written statement released by the foreign ministry explained. 

 “Italy is asking the Russian Federation to withdraw the measures adopted against legitimate economic activities of foreign companies in the country.” 

  Guariglia requested “clarification from Ambassador Alexey Paramonov on his reasons, which are not based on law, especially considering that it was adopted against a company that has historical roots in the country and that has no connection with the current international crisis.” 

   The foreign ministry added that the EU “has harshly condemned the measure” which represents “further evidence for Russia’s disregard for international law.” 

  Paramonov has, however, opposed this. The Russian embassy said that Paramonov has provided “exhaustive explanations on the legality and validity of the decisions taken.” The comment continued “Moscow has always attributed particular importance to the profitable and reciprocal trade and economic relations with Italy. The responsibility for the negative consequences of their deterioration falls entirely on the Italian authorities who have sacrificed real national interests to participate in sterile and dangerous anti-Russian adventures.”

 “One cannot fail to consider the increasingly aggressive and irresponsible rhetoric and tone from Western leaders and their companies cannot be interpreted as anything but a deliberate intention to threaten the security of the Russian Federation, the national, economic, energy and all other types of security, persisting over time.” 

  Today, the minister for Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso also held a conference call with the president of the Ariston group, Paolo Merloni, and the CEO, Maurizio Brusadelli regarding the stand-off. 

 lw