The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, met today at Villa Madama with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was in Rome to participate in the ceremony for the beginning of the Pontificate of the Holy Father, Leo XIV.
The meeting provided the opportunity for an in-depth exchange of opinions on the main issues of international current affairs, on which there was a strong convergence of views, starting with the push given by the United States to stronger coordination within the Quint context on key issues such as Ukraine and the Middle East.
With regard to Ukraine, Minister Tajani reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to working for a just and lasting peace. For this reason, the Government supports the US mediation efforts, with the short-term objective of reaching an immediate and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, as declared by Prime Minister Meloni herself.
In a path of continuous and convinced support for Ukraine in all sectors, Italy is working on the organization of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be held in Rome next July.
Secretary of State Rubio updated the Minister on today’s telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. While favourably viewing the agreement on the exchange of prisoners, reached during the Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul on 16 May, Minister Tajani expressed strong appreciation for the US commitment to put an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, with the comprehensive peace plan proposed by the United States, recalling President Trump’s appeal for an immediate ceasefire and an end to violence.
Similar appreciation for the US mediation effort was expressed by Minister Tajani with reference to the crisis in the Middle East. While reaffirming the belief that the two-State solution is the only possible and viable one, the Deputy Prime Minister also recalled Italy’s front-line role in providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza, also through the corridors activated to bring Palestinian children from Gaza to Italy for treatment in our country’s hospitals.
Minister Tajani was also updated on the status of negotiations between the United States and Iran on the Iranian nuclear program. The Italian Minister confirmed to his colleague the Italian government’s firm support for any form of political and diplomatic dialogue that could lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict with the Islamic Republic.
Tajani and Rubio also focused on bilateral relations between Italy and the United States, underlining their growing collaboration at the highest levels. The United States remains Italy’s leading trade partner outside the EU and the second largest destination market for Italian exports in the world (10.4% of the total). In 2024, trade amounted to EUR 90.6 billion and Italian direct investment in the US amounted to EUR 65.3 billion in 2023, compared to EUR 20.3 billion on the US side. The two Ministers also had an in-depth exchange of views on the issue of tariffs. In the framework of Italian investment and purchases in the USA, Minister Tajani also mentioned the delivery of the first load of American LNG to the Piombino regasification plant.
The two Ministers agreed to keep in touch and meet soon in Washington on the occasion of an upcoming visit by Minister Tajani.
