In her European, Mediterranean and even Latin American agenda the foreign minister insists on an agreed solution on with Russia.
From the Ukraine crisis to the tormented Mediterranean, European challenges and renewed interest in Latin America, the hottest dossiers on the international scenario were the focus of Minister for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini’s interview with l’Unità.
The Ukraine crisis is certainly the hottest issue. Is there still room for a political solution, or is dialogue a way of giving in to Vladimir Putin?
“No, dialogue is the road to realism, the only one that can produce concrete results. It is useful, for everyone. It’s not a zero sum game, where one wins and the other loses, but one in which all of us have much to lose and much to gain. And the only way for everyone to win is to follow the path of dialogue, the only possible one leading to a political solution. The fact that a meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, United States and the EU is planned for Thursday of next week is excellent news, and all the more so because that meeting, which Italy and other partners, like Germany, worked so hard to have, was not a foregone conclusion. On Monday, during the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, we will strongly maintain that Europe should facilitate this opportunity for dialogue in order to achieve very concrete and consensual negotiations on the future of Ukraine».
What is the starting point?
«From the 21 February agreement, cited positively by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in an article in the Guardian a few days ago, as was done also by the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Poland. Then there will be presidential elections and the passage of constitutional reform in Ukraine; the responsibility for facilitating that country’s democratic and economic transition will have to be shared. There is, above all, the need to set up an international context in which Ukraine can have constructive relations with its neighbours».
Apropos of Lavrov, the head of Russian diplomacy declared that «Europe’s stability is threatened by the growing anti-Russian sentiment unleashed by the Ukraine crisis». Is this a valid observation?
I believe that we must now concentrate more on the concrete spaces for negotiation than on respective claims of position. What is important in this phase is not so much to look at individual statements but rather to reinforce the opportunities for negotiation that have opened up. I would like to comment that, thanks also to the actions of countries like Italy, which is a member of the G8 and the EU, Kerry and Lavrov have always kept a direct dialogue channel open; this made it possible for the Russian foreign minister to hold an initial meeting with his Kiev counterpart in The Hague in the margins of the nuclear security summit – something that the media did not make much of, but that was of fundamental importance in that it marked a first sign of mutual recognition. This new encounter, facilitated by the EU and the US, will perhaps not lead to an immediate solution, but will allow for the start of a discussion on what steps to take together to help Ukraine toward a successful transition. The country’s economic, political and social situation is extremely complex and it is in the interests of the EU, the US, Russia and, naturally, of the Ukrainians themselves, to see to it that there are positive results on all three levels».
Another hot topic is the Mediterranean, from Libya to Syria. How is it possible to intervene in these tragedies at Italy’s doorstep?
«First and foremost by remembering them. There is the risk that of the Ukraine crisis overshadowing everything happening in the rest of the neighbourhood, which is not only Italy’s: the Mediterranean is a European sea, but it is also necessary to interpret the differences among the various countries along its southern shores. There is the Syrian drama: three years of war and, political stalemate and the growing humanitarian crisis; the only things that seems to be working in Syria is the elimination of the Assad regime’s chemical weapons, an operation in which Italy is heavily engaged. And there are others alongside the Syrian tragedy: the scenario in Libya is extremely fragile, but there are some faint signs of hope, such as resumption of national dialogue and the reopening of oil fields. Italy is committed to strengthening democratic institution-building in Libya, aware that Europe and the rest of the international community have to do more in this sense. But then there are other areas where democratic transition is stronger, Tunisia or Lebanon, where we have a prominent role in the UNIFIL mission and where the situation is good, despite the fact that the country has been exposed for three years to the danger of contagion by the Syrian conflict».
Lebanon, the country where former Senator Dell`Utri is said to have fled…
«In that regard, I would like to point out that Dell’Utri does not result as having been issued an Italian diplomatic passport, and that his own parliamentary service passport expired in April 2013».
Strategically Europe. Involved in the Ukraine crisis, in the Mediterranean. A Europe marked by a populist foment that threatens to sway the May elections. How can Italy and the government to which you belong contribute to change?
«Rather than of populist movements I would speak of a deep-seated disappointment and frustration, which deepens when there are no answers to the problems. I am convinced that citizens, not only in Italy but across Europe, have understood very well by now, after years of economic crisis, that the answers must necessarily be generated at the level of Europe. The frustration and disappointment with Brussels can easily turn into a reaction against Europe when people see that the response that should come does not. We’ve had a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy for over ten years now: national governments point the finger at Brussels for everything that’s wrong, even national problems. Therefore, Europe is bad, so we don’t invest in Europe, which, as a result, lacks the resources to provide the expected response. The way that Italy could break this vicious circle is two-fold. On the one hand by beginning to say things as they are: investing at European level does not mean giving up sovereignty but rather reacquiring it, since only at that level can truly effective responses for citizens be found. Secondly, the alternative Europe yes, Europe no makes no sense. There are different political choices in Europe also. Let’s say that what will begin with the upcoming elections will have to be a legislature that flanks spending rigour – so necessary for our children – with a flexibility that allows us to invest in the creation of jobs, especially for the younger generations, a problem that is not exclusive to Italy».
Ukraine, Mediterranean, Europe… Are there other priorities in the world in which Italy is invested?
«We have to marry our regional role with an awareness of global interests. We will be working on Africa, Asia and Latin America. I would like to have made my first visit as minister precisely to South America for the inauguration of President Bachelet in Chile, but commitments associated with the Ukraine crisis made that impossible. Our attention is now focused on the situation in Venezuela. I am hoping to be able to do so in the coming months. The region is highly important at a global level and for Italy in particular. Italy, not least through Under-Secretary Giro’s recent mission, has contributed in a significant way encouraging to what is beginning to come about today: the launch of national dialogue between President Maduro and the opposition forces. The commitment undertaken by the Holy See to be part of that dialogue is also important».
You are the youngest foreign minister the Italian republic has ever had. As minister and Democratic Party officer, how do you view Matteo Renzi’s decision to place five women at the top of the ticket for the European elections?
«The decision was a very important one. This is the youngest government in the history of Italy, and the first time that not only half the government is made up of women, but women also hold key positions: Foreign Affairs, Defence, Economic Development, Reforms, Public Administration, Regional Affairs, Education, Health – all key ministries – which also helps project a different image of Italy to the world. There are expectations that go beyond curiosity and that bear witness to the desire to see a different Italy, a normal Italy in an international context, a country whose society is often more advanced that the leaders (and not only politicians) that represent them.”