Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani will be on mission in Germany today and tomorrow for the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC). Key events include: a government leaders’ meeting on Ukraine; a roundtable on irregular migration co-chaired by Italy and the United Kingdom; the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting; and a meeting of the “E5” Foreign Ministers (Italy, France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom).
The two-day conference in Munich will provide a political forum to develop common strategies in response to international security challenges, including economic security and energy policies aimed at industrial recovery and Europe’s competitiveness, also in view of the informal summit on European competitiveness and the upcoming March European Council.
Central to the agenda are the latest developments in Ukraine ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Russian aggression, European defence and stability in the Middle East in light of the US-Iran talks and the implementation of the US Peace Plan for Gaza.
At this afternoon’s meeting on Ukraine, Minister Tajani will reaffirm Italy’s support for the US initiative promoting trilateral negotiations, emphasising the importance of Euro-Atlantic unity for a just peace and to ensure the security of Ukraine and Europe.
Regarding Iran, following the recent US-Iran talks in Oman, Tajani will confirm Italy’s support for ongoing diplomatic efforts and its readiness, maintaining close contacts with major regional partners, to facilitate further negotiations.
On Gaza, the Foreign Minister will stress that security on the ground is a fundamental prerequisite for the success of the Peace Plan. He will recall Italy’s commitment through our Carabinieri, who will shortly begin training a pilot group of 50 Palestinian security officials in Jordan, who will be deployed in Gaza. The Foreign Minister will reiterate concern over Israel’s decision to extend control over the West Bank, which risks undermining efforts towards stability and a two-state solution.
On Saturday, the Minister will co-chair a roundtable on innovative approaches to combat irregular migration and organised crime in the sector, together with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Yvette Cooper.
Tajani will then attend an informal meeting of the G7 Foreign Ministers, the first in-person gathering under the French Presidency.
Later on Saturday afternoon, the Foreign Minister will participate in a meeting of the E5 Foreign Ministers (Italy, France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom), a strategic dialogue platform on strengthening European defence and addressing common security challenges.
