As part of telephone contacts with EU and regional partners, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Iraq, Fuad Hussein.
The conversations provided an opportunity to take stock of the military operations between Iran and Israel. Minister Tajani expressed the Italian government’s concern about the risk of escalation in the region and underlined the importance of resuming negotiations on the nuclear issue. The Minister also raised the issue of the economic effects of military operations throughout the region. The Foreign Minister, who is also responsible for international trade, reminded his counterparts of the fact that 40% of Italy’s GDP comes from exports.
The Prime Minister of Qatar shared information on the danger of military clashes for his country and, for example, also for the approximately 10,000 international technicians working on the Emirate’s offshore oil platforms. He also shared the approach of the Italian government that is working for a de-escalation and a return to a phase of diplomatic exchange of views.
In the conversation with the Iraqi Minister, Tajani was provided information on the temporary usability of the embarkation points for Iraqi oil, which passes through the Strait of Hormuz. The Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation for the position of restraint shown by Iraq – where there are approximately 500 Italian soldiers and approximately 500 compatriots, considering those registered with AIRE and those living permanently there – hoping for an intervention by the Iraqi authorities towards Iran to encourage a resumption of negotiations.
