Italy is ready to support new UN, EU and Arab League measures to find a peaceful political solution to the crisis in Syria. The Italian position was reiterated by Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, speaking from Frankfurt. The Minister was attending a meeting of Germany’s DGAP foreign policy think tank at the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung headquarters. The escalation of the violence is “unacceptable and we need to halt this horrible bloodbath. The military attacks have increased over the last two weeks”, said Terzi, “and the international community needs to undertake better coordinated actions”.
Minister Terzi had made these same points during the 5+5 meeting in Villa Madama in Rome, on Monday 20 February. The goal of our diplomatic activity is to “stop the violence, stop the massacres, find a new stability for Syria: a great country that must respect the rights of all”. […] “We support the Arab League project”, underscored Terzi, explaining that “we are acting in concert with our EU partners”.
Minister Terzi also referred to the “Friends of Syria” meeting taking place in Tunis on Friday 24 February: a diplomatic initiative of great relevance, not least in view of its inclusive nature. A point that was underscored by the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Rajik Abdessalem, who co-chaired the “5+5” meeting with Minister Terzi.
The situation in Syria was also a key topic of Minister Terzi’s discussion at the foreign ministry with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr. “Egypt”, said Terzi, “is a strategic political partner for all questions concerning international peace and security. I was able to compare our assessment of the situation with Egypt’s, and found them to be largely similar where Syria and, indeed, the transformation processes taking place in the Arab world, are concerned”.
In the meantime, the European Union has allocated “3 million euros for humanitarian aid for the Syrian people”, including refugees taken in by neighbouring countries. The announcement was made by the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Kristalina Georgieva. The money will help provide life-saving medical assistance for the population in Syria itself, and humanitarian assistance for refugees. For this reason, Commissioner Georgieva also expressed her appreciation and gratitude to Turkey for their welcoming attitude towards the Syrian refugees.
