ZURICH – Switzerland’s foreign ministry announced that Italy’s diplomatic representative will resume his duties in the country following a diplomatic standoff that lasted several months.
Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado is scheduled to arrive in Bern on Monday, according to Swiss officials. His return comes after Italy withdrew him from his position in January as a formal protest against how Swiss authorities managed the aftermath of a catastrophic nightclub fire.
The deadly blaze occurred on New Year’s Day at a drinking establishment in the mountain resort town of Crans-Montana, claiming the lives of 41 individuals. Among the victims were six Italian citizens. The tragedy ranks among Switzerland’s most devastating disasters in recent decades.
Italian officials expressed strong objections when Swiss authorities decided to release the establishment’s owner on bail, prompting Rome to recall its ambassador as a diplomatic protest. The move highlighted tensions between the neighboring countries over the handling of the investigation and legal proceedings.
