Italy is assessing “forms of support for the efforts,includingmilitary,” of the Iraqi Kurdistan government.The statement came from Minister for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini in an interview for “Radio Anch’io” on Radio Uno.Together with our principal European partnersweare assessing “the most effective forms” of stopping ISIS.
“The immediate need”, the minister continued, “is to stop the Islamic State in the defence of civilians, and this can be done and we are doing it with humanitarian aid: Italy has earmarked over one million euro”.According to Mogherini, however, “a humanitarian corridor has tobe created in order to allow that aid to get in”.
So “from this point of view we are assessing,notonlyasthe Ministries of ForeignAffairs and Defence andthe Presidency of theCouncil ofMinisters, but also together with our European partners, what the most effective and technically possible means are.
Mogherini, European initiative needed, writes to Ashton
“I wroteto High Representative Catherine Ashton yesterday to formally request a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, which should beconfrontingIraq, Gaza and Libya, three crises that directly concern Europe as a whole”, she explained. “Various countries are going into action, but a European initiative is needed”. “I expect a positive response”, she said.
Ready with Pinotti to brief parliament
“Both Minister for Defence Pinottiand Iare ready to brief Parliament at any time on the Iraqi crisis.We are at the disposal of the Parliament”, the foreign minister concluded, stating that the Iraqi situation was “a concern shared by all the Italian political forces”.
