Roberto Antonione, Italy's deputy foreign minister, met with representatives of the Trieste System, including ICTP's acting director Erio Tosatti, on 8 November. At the meeting, which took place at the Centre, Antonione emphasised the important cultural and diplomatic impact that the Trieste System has had on the global scientific community. He expressed his support for continuing to have the System serve as the primary reference point for the Italian government in its efforts to help scientists from Third World countries.