Rome – “We must not worry, but take care”. Take care of keeping alive the traditional relationship of transatlantic alliance between the USA and Europe because “we are essential to each other”, and above all take care of “making the EU take a qualitative leap forward. Now is the time. We must assert our strength as the world’s leading trading market, and not act defensively as if we were terrified.” For this reason, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urges us not to be afraid of a strengthening of European defence, which, however, shall take place together with a political and economic one, because in order to count – also in foreign policy – we need to be united on all fronts.
Does this mean that Italy intends to go up to 40,000 soldiers, to spend huge sums on defence?
“I would like to point out – as Defence Minister Crosetto has also clarified – that the one mentioned is one of the many studies on which all the countries’ Chiefs of Staff are working these days. Various hypotheses are being made, which shall then be cross-checked with political evaluations, with financial means. We will see what the proposals will be. However, there is a second, more important factor: we need to be realistic.
And take note that America is turning its back on us?
“Changes are taking place, and today there are the conditions – even partly forced – to give life to the great project of De Gasperi, first, of Berlusconi later and now broadly outlined by President von der Leyen: a great European defence. The current situation, the USA pushing in this direction, provides us with a great opportunity”.
For the rearmament race?
“Things should not be seen this way. Defence is not just tanks and guns. It is cybersecurity, it is countering – with intelligence – not only arms trafficking, illegal immigrants, crime on the ground, aid in natural disasters. Defence is peacekeeping and protection missions to safeguard our exports. We must necessarily move towards a defence expenditure to the tune of 2% of GDP, separating this expenditure from the Stability Pact. We shall use a mechanism similar to the Recovery Fund, from which – however – we have no intention of diverting funds”.
And making weapons available to Ukraine, possibly deploying armies afterwards, as Macron says? For Salvini he is a kind of warmongering “madman”.
“He is not a madman. He has his positions, which are not ours. As Foreign Minister, I would never allow myself to define with these tones those who have a different position from mine. And above all I maintain all my respect for the highest authority, for the Head of State of a friendly country like France”.
What is the Italian position?
“We hope that what President Macron envisages will not be necessary, because – like Zelensky himself – we think that the war may end within the year. We have other fronts open and we need to work for a just peace treaty, which sees us as protagonists as Europe and which respects the Ukrainian position. Our military will not go to the front in Ukraine, neither with a NATO mission nor with a European one. A different thing would be a UN mission that could act as an interposition force once peace has been achieved.”
However, does a European defence serve to replace the one provided so far by the USA, which as Musk says – also threatening Ukraine with the blocking of Starlink satellites – should leave NATO?
“I do not believe that protectionism and isolationism are good for America. We have always had excellent relations with the USA: it is clear that without the United States we would not have large markets today – which are mutually beneficial – and the defence it has provided so far. We must therefore keep the relationship between Europe and the USA alive, but with dignity and head-on. A stronger defence of our own also serves this goal.”
What do you think of Musk and Starlink?
“I think we must distinguish propaganda words from actions. Let us not get caught up in the anxiety of having to retort to everything said by US politicians or businessmen and keep a cool head. I will see my counterpart Rubio at the G7 in Canada and will do so with friendship and a spirit of constructive exchange of views. In the meantime, I will continue – as is Italy’s role – to try to establish a solid relationship between Europe and the USA. This can be done, however, if we Europeans work together on common trade policies. We need to take action together politically and strategically. Only in this way can we succeed, not with street demonstrations used only to attack the government. We do not take lessons in Europeanism from anyone”.
Meanwhile there are the other fronts, such as Palestine.
“We have shared with Germany, France and the United Kingdom support for the Arab countries’ plan to rebuild Gaza, which does not envisage the expulsion of Palestinians. This is the role that Europe and also Italy should play, i.e. reasoning on proposals – if necessary even alternative to the American ones – but doing so with the support and political unity of a continent of 400 million inhabitants.”
Massacres of civilians resumed in Syria. Italy counted much on stability.
“We are counting and working on this. Interim President Al Sharaa has clearly promised that there will be no leniency for those who killed civilians. There have been assaults on his security forces and hundreds of victims of summary executions are reported. We want the territorial integrity of that country to be preserved, with full respect for all communities that must peacefully exchange their views and cooperate.”
