Sport is ''an excellent tool in foreign policy because it promotes peace,'' Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said on Wednesday.
The foreign minister made his remarks at the presentation of the medals which will be awarded at the World Swimming Championships, to be held in Rome from July 17 to August 2.
Italy, Frattini recalled, has been working for some time to have the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made a permanent observer at the United Nations General Assembly.
The foreign minister also said he was convinced that ''Italy will put on a good show at the championships thanks to an excellent organization''.
Also on hand at the presentation was Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno who said that ''Rome has confirmed its position as an international capital of sport''.
The mayor recalled how the capital has only recently hosted the Champions League final, the final leg of cycling's Giro d'Italia and the Piazza di Siena international show jumping event.
