The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, is in Brussels to participate in the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union.
Before the start of the works, the Deputy Prime Minister will chair a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the European People’s Party, at the Italian Delegation to the Council, which will be devoted to a discussion on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the crisis in the Middle East.
The works of the Council, chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, will begin with an exchange of views on the situation in Israel and the Middle East region. They will continue with a discussion on Russian aggression against Ukraine and tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and will conclude with an exchange of views on the foreign policy dimension of economic security.
On the sidelines of the Council, Hon. Tajani will take part in the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting. “Italy strongly supports the path of European integration of the Balkans”, he stated, while recalling the government’s commitment to strengthening Italian action in the region. “It is essential now to accelerate along this path, by also aiming at closer collaboration with this strategic region for the stability of our Continent, on key dossiers such as economic growth, security and the fight against irregular immigration. The meeting will be preceded by a meeting chaired by Hon Tajani between the EU Ministers of the “Friends of the Western Balkans” group and their counterparts from the region.
The Deputy Prime Minister will finally participate in the Political Assembly of the European People’s Party, where he will chair a panel entitled “A European Response to the Migration Challenge” and submit a strategic document in consultation with the member parties.
