A full calendar of international visits and meetings awaits Minister Giulio Terzi for the coming year, according to foreign ministry spokesperson Maurizio Massari – appointments and activities by which the minister plans to follow up the foreign policy concerns he outlined to the Parliament: Europe, trans-Atlantic relations, the Mediterranean and global actions.
Within the context of European diplomacy, the minister has a visit to Paris planned for the first half of January, and one to London at the end of the month, to discuss bilateral themes with his counterparts and reinforce links regarding the main international crises.
On 30 January Terzi will take part in the EU Council of Foreign Ministers, an important moment for decisions on tightening the sanctions against Iran.
Italy has proposed that the issues of Serbia and Kosovo be included on the January Council agenda, in light of recent developments and the crucial importance Italy attributes to advancing Serbia’s EU integration process through the granting of candidate status and the launch of accession negotiations.
On the trans-Atlantic front, Terzi will accompany President Monti to the United States for a scheduled bilateral meeting; solid relations with the United States remains one of Italy’s foreign policy pilasters.
The minister’s agenda is especially dense with commitments regarding the Mediterranean, one of the foreign policy priorities that Minister Terzi has often underscored, not least in light of the transformations that have followed the Arab spring uprisings, and of the prominent role that Italy plays and intends to continue playing in that area of the world. Visits are planned in January for Tunisia, Egypt and Libya (Terzi will be accompanying Premier Monti. The minister has already had telephone contact with his Tunisian counterpart Abdessalem to congratulate him on his appointment and to announce his intention to visit Tunisia in the coming weeks.
Italy views Tunisia as a crucial partner in its Mediterranean policies, and hails the democratic direction it has undertaken, which lays the groundwork for even deepener relations between the two countries. A visit to Cairo is also planned in January. Egypt is a strategic partner and key player in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Italy has profound ties of friendship with the Egyptian people and views the transition with confidence and is hopeful, despite concern over the violence of recent weeks, for the full and normal resumption of the political process.
Libya is a dossier that the minister monitors closely and personally on a daily basis. Intense efforts continue, in association with the Italian Embassy in Tripoli, other ministries and the Prime Minister’s Office, to put bilateral relations solidly back on track with Libya in a variety of sectors ranging from the economy, security, and the common fight against illegal immigration.
January also holds a visit to Lebanon, another country where Italy plays a key role and will resume command of the UNIFIL mission next month.
Minister Terzi’s engagements regarding the Mediterranean and Middle East, first and foremost Syria: Italy is particularly concerned about the continuing violence, even after the Syrian government’s signing of an agreement with the Arab League, and has appealed strongly to the Syrian authorities to stop the repression and install the conditions for a rapid political transition.
Italy supports the efforts of the Arab League and Turkey, which Italy considers a central partner in resolving the Syrian crisis and, more in general, in post-Arab spring stabilisation. Italy is also carefully observing and encouraging the stances taken within the United Nations, where the overwhelming majority of members have approved a resolution condemning Syria for its violent repression, in addition to a Russian proposal along the same lines being considered by the Security Council, which is also viewed as an encouraging development.
In agreement with its partners, the foreign ministry is organising a meeting in Naples of the 5+5 foreign ministers, the first after the uprisings and one year on from the latest. The meeting will offer an opportunity to bring new impetus to regional cooperation and foster cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
The minister’s engagements also include a global agenda, ranging from Africa to broad-based economic/cultural diplomacy. The Horn of Africa and Somalia, a top priority region for Italy, which has already been the focus of the minister’s bilateral meetings and is on the agenda of his upcoming meetings In Europe, ahead of the February conference in London, to which Italy intends to make a prominent contribution.
Italy is working in close association with its English partners and those of the core group in preparation for that conference, whose goal will be to sustain a process leading to the end of the transition in August of 2012 and the future the Somali State.
Regarding North Korea, being the first of the G7 countries to have launched diplomatic relations, Italy is monitoring developments in the situation following the death of Kim Jong il with great interest. A new phase has begun, and the hopes are that it will lead to the PDRK’s greater openness to the international community and proactive attitude toward non-proliferation and cooperation with its neighbours.
