Al-Qaeda's devastating attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people on 11 September 2001 should spur the world to keep united in the fight against terrorism, Italy said Friday on the eve of the 20th anniversary of '9/11'.
"Marking 11 September makes us reflect on the past and on the lessons learned over the past 20 years. But it must also make us keep battling terrorism together, wherever it lurks, in defence of freedom and democracy," Di Maio stated.
Di Maio made the remarks in a message for '2001--2021: the 20-year War' - an event organised by the Centre for American Studies in Rome.
"'9/11' brings with it a powerful symbol - for Americans and for all of us," Di Maio went on, referring to the day as "a turning-point".
"The primary target of Al-Qaeda's terrorist acts was the universal message of democracy and individual freedom and dignity, which is inherent to the idea of America," Di Maio wrote.
"Secondly, the attack on the Twin Towers made terrorism emerge as a global threat to peace and security," the message underlined.
