“The last possible chance” to reach a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, and that Italy “will do everything possible” to encourage by supporting diplomatic efforts under way. This Minister for Foreign Affairs Emma Bonino confirmed at the end of her meeting today at the foreign ministry in Rome with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, ensuring Italy’s commitment to advancing the Middle East peace process. A process to which Kerry has given renewed impetus as a result of his meetings of recent hours in Rome, a major diplomatic crossroads for the Middle East dossier.
Minister impressed by U.S. dynamism
Italy is capable of “relations with the Arab world” that can help to build “bridges” at all levels that would facilitate a solution, the head of Italian diplomacy added. Bonino met yesterday with Israeli Justice Minister in charge of the Palestinian peace talks Tzipi Livni, to whom she expressed her hopes for “the atmosphere of mutual trust necessary to the pursuit of the goal of two States living side by side in peace and security”. A hope that, according to Bonino, can today count on the “determination” of the parties in question and on the “dynamism of the U.S. administration”, with which the Minister said she was “highly impressed”.
Kerry and Bonino, a political solution to the Syrian crisis
But the peace process was not the only focus of the bilateral meeting in Rome. The Syrian crisis and the resulting humanitarian tragedy, was one of the delicate issues on the table. With a conviction enunciated in the course of the press conference, Bonino said “we must act fast” to find a solution, in order to “avoid spill-over into other areas of the region”. Meanwhile, the head of Italian diplomacy assured her government’s commitment to “seeing if it is possible to increase humanitarian aid to the refugees”, even though aid is not a solution to the crisis. The solution must be “political”, and “not military”, Bonino added, fully in sync with her colleague Kerry.
Kerry, Italy can play a crucial role in Libya’s stability
The “disturbing” developments on the ground in Libya was another important international concern addressed during the meeting, and one with regard to which the U.S. has recognized how, as a result of its “favoured relations” with Libya, Italy can play a “crucial role in the stability” of that North African country.
