Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani concluded the mission in Wicklow, Ireland, where he participated in the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting (Gymnich).
On Tuesday, the Minister attended a working dinner, which was also attended by the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Ukraine.
During the session dedicated to Ukraine, Minister Tajani reaffirmed the West’s unity in supporting Ukraine and its firm condemnation of Russia’s indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population and Ukrainian infrastructure, emphasising the need to continue working towards a just and lasting peace.
Particular attention was paid to the attacks in the Black Sea and their impact on wheat exports. Italy will continue to support food security, including by identifying synergies with the ‘Rome Coalition’ on fertilisers, established within the framework of the MED9+ format, which Minister Tajani will convene once again in New York in a few weeks’ time on the occasion of the UN General Assembly.
In the discussion on the EU’s external action – focusing on the institutional framework, European foreign policy decision-making processes and the Union’s role in the multilateral system – Minister Tajani advocated for the need to make current European institutions more effective, whilst respecting the competences of the Member States. The Foreign Minister also highlighted strengthening the European presence in Africa as a priority, including through EU missions and operations.
The session on the Middle East focused on the main regional crises and the means to promote stability and security. Minister Tajani reaffirmed the need to foster an agreement between the United States and Iran, through diplomatic channels, to contribute to the region’s stability, and to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. In this context, Minister Tajani highlighted Italy’s contribution to the European Aspides mission. The Minister also reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to the two-state solution and to providing assistance to the people of Gaza. With specific reference to Lebanon, he reaffirmed Italy’s concern regarding the recent resurgence of attacks and its support for an agreement aimed at lasting peace, for which the strengthening of institutions – and the Lebanese armed forces, in particular – is essential. Minister Tajani finally highlighted the recent political progress in Libya and Italy’s support for the UN-brokered agreement signed on Sunday, as an important and credible step towards inclusive and transparent national elections and unified institutions.
In Wicklow, Minister Tajani also held a number of bilateral meetings with his European and international counterparts.
