The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, is in Brussels to attend the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC).
During his mission to Brussels, the Deputy Prime Minister will also have political meetings with High Representative-designate Kaja Kallas and a number of EU Commissioners-designate, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihail Popsoi.
The European meeting, chaired by High Representative Josep Borrell, will open with a working session dedicated to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, in which Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha will also speak. Minister Tajani said: “One thousand days after the unjustified Russian aggression, it is important that the EU – also in the framework of the G7 Leaders‘ Declaration adopted yesterday – remains united in its support for Ukraine and its people, in view of achieving a just peace and work on the reconstruction of the country.”
This will be followed by an exchange of views on the situation in Georgia following the recent elections. On this issue, Minister Tajani will reaffirm the need to keep a constructive dialogue open with the Georgian authorities, while calling for clarity on the irregularities reported at the time of the elections.
The Council’s works will continue with an informal lunch to discuss EU-US relations in light of the November presidential elections’ outcome. Minister Tajani stated: “The United States remains our main ally in promoting international stability in the world.” He will insist on the need for the EU to be more proactive and more autonomous, while endeavouring to keep the new Trump administration committed to the transatlantic partnership.
With specific reference to the situation in the Middle East, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, “the crisis in the region is a priority of the Italian G7 Presidency. The issue will be the focus of the Fiuggi-Anagni Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 25-26 November. We must keep the dialogue with all players open, asking them to show restraint and to commit to a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and to the release of hostages.” Minister Tajani will also insist on the humanitarian situation, recalling the results of the Pescara Humanitarian Conference, and the need to continue supporting the UNIFIL mission. Minister Tajani will reaffirm the importance of maintaining a high commitment to humanitarian intervention for Syria’s people.
Finally, Minister Tajani will also call for greater European attention to the security situation in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia and in the crucial area for our trade in the Red Sea, hoping for an increase in support for the new African Union’s mission to stabilise the country.
