(supersedes)Italy
remains among the "closest and most solid allies" of the United
States, a highly placed source within the administration of U.S.
President Barack Obama told ANSA on Monday.
The outcome of yesterday's referendum "will not affect our
cooperation on a series of shared interests, from climate change
to the global refugee crisis to promoting security and inclusive
economic growth", the source said. "The Italian people have
spoken, and we respect their decision".
Sunday's referendum defeat for the government's
constitutional reform and the resignation of Premier Matteo
Renzi have not ended the reform process, the sources went on.
"Italians are committed to an ample national debate on the
reforms to be adopted to put the country on a path leading to a
more stable and effective administration and to sustain economic
growth and great foreign investment," they said. "This vote has
only been a chapter in that dialogue, not its end. It will
continue in the weeks and months to come".
The referendum had nothing to do with the country's
relationship to the European Union and cannot be compared to the
Brexit, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest told ANSA on
Monday.
"It's risky to simplify by comparing the potential effects of
the Brexit referendum to those of the Italian referendum,"
Earnest said.
An Italian referendum on constitutional reform had nothing to
do with the country's relationship to the European Union and
cannot be compared to the Brexit, White House spokesperson Josh
Earnest told ANSA on Monday. "It's risky to simplify by
comparing the potential effects of the Brexit referendum to
those of the Italian referendum," Earnest said.
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