The Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, spoke today – on behalf of Minister Tajani – at the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council High-Level Forum on Security and Defence and at the Ministerial segment of the second Palestine Donor Group (PDG) meeting, co-chaired by the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.
The Palestine Donor Group, established as a platform for coordinating international support for the Palestinian Authority, met today for the second time to review the Palestinian Authority’s economic situation, progress in implementing the reform agenda, developments in the Gaza Strip, and initiatives to support recovery and future reconstruction.
In her remarks, Undersecretary Tripodi announced Italy’s new contribution to the Trust Fund UN Horizon for Palestine, intended to support recovery activities in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Undersecretary Tripodi also reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to strengthening Palestinian institutional capabilities, also through new initiatives to train future Palestinian leaders, and in the areas of health cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and support for the future reconstruction of Gaza.
The Undersecretary also participated in a session dedicated to the Early Recovery Initiative for Gaza, in the Team Europe+ format, with the involvement of partner countries and Gulf countries, aimed at enhancing Europe’s commitment to supporting the recovery and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Undersecretary Tripodi then participated in the ceremony dedicated to the European PEGASE instrument, during which a review of contributions made by Member States in 2025 was presented, including Italy’s €12 million.
With Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Undersecretary Tripodi finally emphasized – in the context of the EU-GCC High-Level Forum on Security and Defence – the importance of strengthening cooperation in the strategic areas of energy, technology, security and agriculture, including the issue of fertilisers and water resources.
