Armando Varricchio è il nuovo Ambasciatore d’Italia negli Stati Uniti. Lo scorso 2 marzo ha presentato alla Casa Bianca le credenziali al Presidente degli Stati Uniti, Barack Obama. Varricchio è arrivato con un robusto mandato politico, nell'anno in cui peraltro si svolgeranno le elezioni presidenziali. Nel corso di un colloquio molto cordiale con Obama svoltosi nello Studio Ovale, l’Ambasicatore ha sottolineato il solido legame di amicizia e comunanza di valori tra Italia e Stati Uniti che rappresenta una componente imprescindibile per accrescere il benessere dei cittadini e promuovere la pace, la democrazia e la difesa dei diritti. Il Presidente Obama, dal canto suo, ha ricordato nei termini più amichevoli il recente incontro con il Presidente della Repubblica, Sergio Mattarella alla Casa Bianca e la stretta collaborazione con il Presidente del Consiglio Renzi sulle più rilevanti questioni internazionali e dell'agenda globale. Varricchio succede a Claudio Bisogniero, ambasciatore d’Italia negli Stati Uniti dal 2012.

“Upon taking the helm of the Italian Embassy in the United States, I wish to extend my most cordial greetings to my fellow Italians, to the elected representatives of Italy in the United States, to the community of Italian origin, and to those who recognize themselves – ideally and culturally – in Italy. It is thanks to you that today the long-standing bond between our Peoples is stronger than ever.

Italy and the U.S. are friends - and allies. We are committed to promoting a future based on freedom, prosperity and peace. We work very closely on matters of international security, protecting human rights and gender equality, promoting economic growth, opening markets, safeguarding the environment, and supporting the work of the United Nations. We stand side-by-side in areas of crisis and are in constant touch both on a bilateral level and in multilateral fora, starting with the Atlantic Alliance.

This enduring alliance is enriched daily with culture, innovation and high-tech. Our language is a powerful tool which promotes Italy’s unparalleled cultural heritage and also enhances our forward-looking Country’s natural propensity to creativity and inventiveness – in short, to the future.

I am honored to serve my country in the United States. Together with my colleagues and the entire consular network, I will spare no efforts to further strengthen our close ties. Above all, I know that my mission will be made all the easier with your invaluable support.”

With this message, Armando Varricchio greeted his fellow Italian citizens in America and U.S. citizens alike upon assuming his post as the newly appointed Ambassador of Italy to United States. He presented his credentials to U.S. President Barack Obama on March 2, 2016.

Born in Venice in 1961, Varricchio graduated in Politics from the University of Padua in 1985 and entered the Foreign Service in 1986.

Among the positions held in the course of his career, after first being assigned to the Directorate General for Personnel and Administration, Offices V and II, he was posted to Budapest in 1988 and to the Italian Permanent Representation in Brussels in 1992.

Upon his return to Rome, he was assigned to the Directorate General for Personnel and Administration in 1996; he was later seconded to the Prime Minister’s Office. In 1998 he was appointed Head of the Private Office of the Minister without Portfolio for Community Policies. Starting in 1999, Varricchio served in the Private Office of the President of the European Commission as Counselor for International Affairs and personal representative of the President in summit meetings of the most industrialized countries.

In 2002 he was posted to Washington as First Commercial Counselor.

Following his return once to Rome in 2006, he was seconded to the Secretariat General of the Presidency of the Republic as Deputy Diplomatic Counselor to the President of the Republic.

Appointed Minister Plenipotentiary in 2007, that same year he was awarded the honor of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic.

In 2009 he was nominated Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belgrade, followed by the positions of Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2012, Diplomatic Advisor and G7/G20 Sherpa of the Prime Minister in 2013, and Ambassador of Italy in 2014, until his most recent appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Washington in 2016.