Hassan Rouhani: I Did Not Request to Cover Naked Statues

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated that he made no request to Italian officials to cover classical naked statues in the Capitoline Museum in Rome, but he appreciates Italy's hospitality. According to Agence France-Presse, Hassan Rouhani responded to reporters' questions on Wednesday, February 26, saying that he had 'no contact in this regard' with Italian officials. Smiling, he remarked, 'I know that Italians are very hospitable, people who try to make their guests as comfortable as possible, and I thank them for that.' During a press conference on Monday between the Iranian President and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, held at the Capitoline Museum in Rome, ancient naked statues, including the Venus statue from the 2nd century BC, were covered with white boxes. This action caused an uproar in the media and condemnation from Italian politicians. Dario Franceschini, the Italian Minister of Culture, who accompanied Rouhani during the museum visit, called the covering of the statue 'incomprehensible.' He emphasized that neither he nor the Italian Prime Minister were aware of such a decision. Italian media on Wednesday criticized the 'great enthusiasm' for Rouhani's visit and blamed the protocol office for the visit of high-ranking officials to the country. According to Agence France-Presse, sources in the Rome municipality, which manages the museum, assured the press that the municipality was not responsible for this decision. Covering the statues was not the only measure taken to ensure Rouhani's trouble-free visit to Italy. The Iranian President refused to attend a dinner where wine was served. At the end of Rouhani's two-day visit to Italy, the two sides issued a joint statement outlining a 'roadmap for cooperation between Tehran and Rome in political, economic, cultural, tourism, scientific, and technological fields.' During Rouhani's visit, Italy and Iran signed over 17 billion euros in trade contracts. On Wednesday, Rouhani traveled to France and, according to IRNA, stated at Bourget Airport in Paris that a new chapter in relations between Iran and the European Union has begun.