Italy made a “a noteworthy comeback” in foreign policy in 2013, according to the European Policy Scorecard of the European Council on Foreign Affairs presented today in Brussels, where Minister Bonino was also present. The report underscores Italy’s efforts in regard to the Syrian crisis, pointing out that the foreign ministry was a leader in 9 components, excluding the energy front with Russia.
The study, which ranks the foreign policy of the 28 EU member states, focused on 6 questions for 2013: relations with China, Russia, the United States, the rest of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and performance on multilateral issues and crisis management.
Priority to Euro crises in recent years
“Thus, in 2012, Italy led on only three components of European foreign policy (though it was a “slacker” significantly less than in 2011). But, after taking over in April, the government of Prime Minister Enrico Letta re-engaged at a European and international level and led on 10 components.
Constructive role in Syria
In particular” the report continued, “it played a constructive role in the neighbourhood and was an outspoken supporter of a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria. It also increased development aid for the first time in several years. The dramatic improvement in Italy’s performance suggests again that personalities can make a difference in foreign policy”.
