“Minister Antonio Tajani, President Zelensky’s trip to Washington was a further signal to Russia, but one that confirms the military operations.
“The message that the Biden-Zelenksy meeting has sent to Russia is utterly clear: the West is united and the United States and Europe will not leave Ukraine on its own. The goal is peace, but no-one should be thinking of wearing Europe down. We’ll continue to support Ukraine, all of us together, until a just peace is achieved, a peace that respects Ukraine’s right to see that its demands for independence and freedom are met. We are constantly sending out negotiation offers to Russia. The Italian Government has called on mediators like Turkey, the Vatican and China too, asking them to go on working to persuade the Russian leadership. But, I repeat, it is clear that we must restore the status quo ante: unified support by the West is needed to create the right conditions for a ceasefire and then for peace negotiations”.
People are starting to talk about reconstruction, in which many Italian companies could be involved.
“The networks and infrastructure bombed by the Russians will need to be rebuilt, and quickly, because Ukraine is, and will always be, a European country. Europe will assist it and then we’ll get ready for that dossier. Italian companies are ready”.
Turning to Libya, what are you doing about this most sensitive crisis for Italy?
“We’ve just invited the United Nations Secretary General’s envoy for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, to Rome. The political signal is clear: Italy fully supports the UN’s efforts to find the way in a restabilisation process for Libya that is no longer traversed by disorder and military clashes. We don’t have limitless time at our disposal. The status quo is no longer sustainable”.
You have just concluded the annual Conference of Ambassadors. What was the outcome?
“We’re determined to make Italy count for more, that’s part of our core business. International trade, economic policy, our links with the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, led by my colleague Adolfo Urso, must become increasingly synergistic. We’re planning a number of integrated ‘system-level’ missions that will help our businesses penetrate markets new to them, or increase their presence in their existing markets.
Why must we succeed in changing?
“Because we don’t have any alternative. And the ability to create an integrated system applies at all levels. I’m thinking here of the presence of our military abroad, because that too must be a foreign policy instrument. And in this case, from the Balkans to the Middle East, the presence of our forces is of key importance, as is the interaction between this ministry and the Ministry of Defence. You don’t achieve results if you don’t act at integrated ‘country-system’ level, bringing in numerous organisations and their diverse know-how to work for the same goals. Under the direction of the Prime Minister’s office at Palazzo Chigi, this country’s foreign policy must be drawn up with input from all ministers”.
Do you mean that they didn’t count for enough before?
“Apart from the presence of Draghi, in recent years Italy hasn’t been a key actor; the Balkans have been neglected, as have other regions in the world. But I’m not looking for arguments with the people who preceded us.
Many Italian firms prefer to invest and operate abroad. How can we attract investment?
“We certainly need a major reform of our bureaucracy. We’ve made a start with the Procurement Code, and we’ll continue by reducing the tax wedge. We’ll also implement a thorough reform of the justice system, to make it more efficient”.
The price cap: is that glass half full or half empty?
“I think it’s a positive agreement, much better than the one that was being discussed until a few weeks ago”.
Will you manage to reach a decision on Piombino? [project for liquified natural gas terminal]
“The Piombino regassification plant will go ahead, that’s certain”.
Rome is a candidate for Expo 2030. Are we heading for certain defeat?
“We working for success, but we realise it won’t be easy”.
On the recent measures, there didn’t seem to be effective direction from the government. Are you still not fully up and running, or is there something in the relationship with Parliament that isn’t working?
“The majority is cohesive. It’s clear that when changes are being made each of the forces in the majority wants to see the measures closest to its own line get through. This all provides useful input, but for it all to weave together cohesively requires time”.
