Pak to miss Ambassador Pontecorvo Stefano

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will greatly miss Ambassador Pontecorvo Stefano, who served more as an envoy for Pakistan than his own country, Italy, over the last four years.

The celebrated diplomat flies out for his next assignment in Kabul tomorrow (Saturday). But he is not expected to disconnect with Pakistan, nor will the Pakistanis ever forget him. He will continue to rule millions of hearts across the country.

During his more than four years in Islamabad, Ambassador Pontecorvo achieved many goals, both for Italy and for Pakistan.

The envoy won trade goals, the diplomatic targets and was instrumental in bolstering the cultural links.

From the top government executives to the vendors in the streets, everyone followed the friendly ambassador who was always available for all.

On the social media, the envoy would reply almost instantly to all queries and guide the questioners. Under him, the Italian embassy was generous in granting visas to the Pakistanis who wanted to visit the beautiful Italy.

“It is sad that I am leaving Pakistan but I will keep coming back. I can’t keep away from the beautiful people here,” said the ambassador.

Ambassador Pontecorvo said he will remain on Twitter and keep in contact with the Pakistani friends in the coming years.

The envoy said for now, he was not too far from Pakistan even physically. “I am assigned next door (in Afghanistan). So I am still around,” he added.

Lidia Ravera Pontecorvo, the ambassador’s wife, was equally popular across Pakistan. She had become an icon for the Pakistani women.

Following is Ambassador Pontecorvo’s profile.

Born in Bangkok, Thailand on the 17th of February 1957

Career – 1983: Degree in Economics cum laude – Università di Roma.

1985: Enters Diplomatic Service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for Personnel (1986) and Directorate General for Political Affairs, NATO Desk (1987).

1988: Italian Embassy, Moscow. Second Secretary for Economic, Financial and Commercial Affairs. 1989: Promoted First Secretary. 1992: Italian Permanent Mission to NATO, Brussels. First Secretary in charge of the Balkans and Deputy Representative to the NATO Political Committee. 1995: Promoted Counsellor. 1996: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Chief of Staff of the Secretary General. 1997: EU Council, General Secretariat, Brussels. Head of the Balkans Desk.

1999: Stability Pact for South East Europe, Brussels. Head of Office and Responsible for the Third Table on Security and Stability in the Balkans. 2000: Promoted First Counsellor. 2001: Italian Permanent Mission to the EU, Brussels. First Counsellor for External Relations (Italian Representative on the RELEX Group) and Chairman of the RELEX Group during the Italian Presidency. Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU Political and Security Committee. 2004: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Head of the Financial Division of the Directorate General for Cooperation and Development. 2005: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Chief of Staff of the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Europe, Senator Roberto Antonione (under the Berlusconi Government). 2006: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Chief of Staff of Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Africa and Cooperation for Development, Hon.le Patrizia Sentinelli. 2007: Italian Embassy, Moscow. Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission. 2008: Promoted Minister Plenipotentiary. 2009: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Deputy Director General for Sub-Saharan African Countries. 2010: Italian Embassy, London. Minister and Deputy Head of Mission. 2013: Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister of Defence since 15th of January 2013 (Min. Giampaolo di Paola under the Monti Government; Min. Mario Mauro under the Letta Government; Min. Roberta Pinotti under the Renzi Government).

Present position: Ambassador of Italy in Pakistan.  Others:  1998 – 2002: taught “International financial and monetary markets”, University of Trieste. Fluent in English, French and Russian. Married with Lidia Ravera and has one daughter. Newswire International wishes Ambassador Pontecorvo Stefano the best in the future.