“If the West is divided, autocracies win.” The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister stated as much and added: “We share common values, namely freedom, peace, democracy. They are not wiped away by a diplomatic clash.” He explained: “A division between Europe and the United States would mean the decline of the West, which would lead to the victory of autocracies, populism and radicalism. This victory would be a very severe damage not only for the West, but also for the whole world.”’
Minister Tajani, have you watched the famous video with the clash between Trump, Vance and Zelensky?
‘Of course I have watched it. Also in the light of those scenes, Italy is calling for a Summit between Europe and the United States. At this historic stage, what is at stake is not just a political issue. What is at stake is the unity of the West and the West’s role in the world, to defend its founding values. The principles of freedom, centrality of the individual, defence of the rule of law, free market, protection of peace and democracy, about which there cannot and must never be a rift between Europe and the United States, which are two sides of the same coin.””
The West’s coin does not look very bright these days and the world deems it devalued.
“I believe that the West has all the right potential to count and a history that is its strength and can look to the future. However, we need to stand together. A division between Europe and the United States would mean the decline of the West, which would lead to the victory of autocracies, populism and radicalism. This victory would be extremely damaging not only for the West, but also for the whole world. The West won when its values won against Nazism and Communism, which are precisely the denial of Western values.”
Is a new wave of anti-Americanism being unleashed in Europe since President Trump’s rise to power?
“Let us remember that the Americans are those who enabled us to free ourselves from the totalitarianism of the 20th century, at the cost of huge sacrifices. We must not forget that, among the many fallen soldiers of the Allied Armies, there were many Italian Americans and many Europeans. It is unthinkable to call the transatlantic relationship into question because there is a government in the USA that not everyone likes. Europe is an identity that goes far beyond political issues. Even contingent choices must therefore be aimed at ensuring the unity of the West. The Atlantic Alliance is not just a military alliance. It is much more. It is both an ideal and a strategic choice.”
However, aren’t they going too far in the White House, as we saw in the video the other night?
“Even when there are contrasts, we must all work knowing that there are a cultural heritage and values that have always been common, from Tocqueville onwards. There is an ideal thread connecting the democracy of Athens to George Washington. After all, it was Columbus who acted as a bridge between the continents. We share language and religion with America. Americans, They too, have a Judeo-Christian identity. Just as our Europe, which now more than ever is the place of modernity and freedom. Speaking of history, I want to say that the Euro-Atlantic spiritual bond cannot be wiped away by contrasts in diplomatic talks or confrontational statements. Diplomacy needs time to solve problems, but I am sure that the West will be united also for the peace talks in Ukraine.”
Does this already apply from today, from the Summit in London?
“At this Summit, Italy will make its voice heard to bring everyone to the peace negotiating table. Everyone means Europe, the United States, Ukraine and Russia”. Russia is threatening. “We, in front of everyone, must not be afraid to be what we are. We must behave according to our compass and always keep our toolkit of values open. This is the best way to make ourselves respected in the world. Europe and the West in general stand for openness, curiosity, progress. Just think of the great travellers such as Marco Polo and Matteo Ricci, Amerigo Vespucci and Vasco de Gama, as well as the sailors of the Maritime Republics, and we could go on and on with examples. They all had an open vision of their identity, they wanted to know and be known, to grow and make grow. I could also talk about the great Venetian merchants, inventors of modern insurance. Indeed, modernity is what characterises Europe and the West.”
Are we too uncertain in defending this model, surrounded by very aggressive counter-models?
‘We absolutely must not live in fear of our identity, but exercise it in concrete terms. By defending our model, we also defend the interests of Italy, which is a commercial and open country by vocation. This is how the whole of Europe must be. Who is our example? Ulysses, a great traveller who always returned to his home, where his wife, son and dog Argo were. There were his family and his homeland. This is Europe, this is the West. We have to make it understood, because we too often do not talk about the values that represent us.”
But aren’t the Americans giving up on Europe?
“I believe that this can never happen. Also because our security and geopolitical stability depend on this indissoluble relationship between our two continents.”
Speaking of stability, will Merz’s Germany be the pillar of Europe in this phase of conflict?
“Merz’s Germany is inspired by the European popularism of Adenauer, De Gasperi and Schuman that gave birth to Europe after the Second World War. I want to recall that – in the relations between Germany and Italy – the relations between the parties of the EPP have been fundamental. They will still be so thanks to the links between Forza Italia and CDU-CSU.”
Has the West been too weak or distracted in the face of Russia’s expansionism?
“Putin had moved closer to NATO and the West with the agreement signed in Pratica di Mare, which Berlusconi had favoured. Then the Russian President chose to move away, driven by his geopolitical strategies. I do not feel I can make any great reproaches to the West, as far as the relationship with Russia is concerned. Now let us look ahead, and let us all work for a just peace that cannot mean the defeat of Ukraine. There is a last thing I want to tell you: hope is part of the Western identity.”
Why do you say so?
‘Because hope must give us the strength to make courageous choices and not be bogged down in a syndrome of powerlessness that cannot belong to us at all.”
