Antonio Tajani’s Outline of the Government’s Foreign Policy Guidelines

During the Forza Italia congress, Antonio Tajani, detailed the government’s foreign policy guidelines in a comprehensive speech. The conversation spanned across various topics, highlighting the relationship with Israel, the rising tensions with Russia, the supportive stance towards Ukraine and the Mattei plan for Africa. The demise of Aleksei Navlany, according to Tajani, signals a tragic echo of Soviet-era tactics aimed at eliminating opposition.

Russia’s Stance on Conflict and Repression

The Foreign Minister, in his address, emphasized Russia’s internal and external resolutions towards conflict and repression. He likened these actions to the darker episodes of the 20th century. Tajani further stressed that the aggression against Ukraine should not be perceived solely as an attempt to suppress the freedom of a sovereign nation, but also as a defiance to the West and international legality. He added that Navlany’s death serves as a grim reminder of the ruthless methods adopted by the Soviet Union.

Middle East: A Region Far from Peace

Tajani also touched upon the persisting issue in the Middle East, asserting Italy’s position in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. He emphasized Italy’s deep-rooted friendship with Israel and its shared grief over the innocent lives lost during the massacre on 7 October. He clarified that comparing Israel to Hamas was an unjust comparison. Despite the continuous efforts for peace, Tajani acknowledged that peace in the Middle East remains a distant goal. He accepted Netanyahu’s government’s need to respond to terrorism, but also urged the Israeli government to uphold the principles of civilization and humanity.

Africa: A Land of Opportunities and Challenges

Antonio Tajani stressed the importance of maintaining strong relationships with African nations in his role as the Foreign Minister of the Meloni government. Echoing the views of Silvio Berlusconi who saw Africa as the “land of the future”, Tajani described Africa as a land of both drama and opportunities. He underscored the abundant riches and potential that Africa holds, cautioning Europe and Italy against losing this to countries like Russia, China, and Iran. He emphatically stated that unlike these countries, Italy will never adopt a neo-colonial approach based on exploitation. Instead, he advocated for a collaborative approach with African countries, promoting mutual interests. In this regard, he highlighted the significance of the Mattei plan initiated by the Meloni government. Tajani concluded by asserting his vision for this plan to be incorporated into a broader European plan for Africa, reminiscent of his efforts during his tenure as president of the European Parliament, and in line with the foreign policy principles of Silvio Berlusconi.