Minister Tajani, is seeing Trump and Zelensky in St. Peter’s Basilica talking about peace the beginning of a breakthrough or will it happen like Israel and Iran who talked to each other during Wojtyla’s funeral but then did nothing?
«I believe that this time there is the will to conclude. We shall see, however, what Putin wants to do. The ball is in Russia’s court. However, the picture of of the two Presidents face to face is a strong picture from several viewpoints. It conveys the idea of the centrality of Rome and the universality of the Church. Moreover, from an organisational viewpoint, Rome has shown extraordinary efficiency and the whole world has noticed it. I have received many messages of congratulations for our organisation and management abilities from Heads of State and Government, sovereigns, diplomats».
Is now peace closer?
«Pictures are important. But if only those were enough…. An important step has been made and there is still much work to be done. Italy is very much engaged in this work. There are so many fronts: Ukraine, the Middle East, Iran’s nuclear power. Not to mention the forgotten wars. Especially in Africa, and particularly in Sudan and also in Somalia where terrorists are increasingly dangerous. The Horn of Africa and sub-Saharan Africa need to be followed with particular attention. Italy has a military presence in the Horn of Africa, in Niger and in other areas».
When will the Summit between Trump and von der Leyen on Ukraine take place and will it really be held in Rome?
«I am optimistic about the meeting. I am convinced it will take place. Holding the Summit is in the mutual interest of the two pillars of the West. Rome would be an excellent choice. Silvio Berlusconi said that Europe cannot do without America and America cannot do without Europe. It seems to me that this is indeed the case».
When will the meeting take place?
«I do not know. We are working. Rather than worrying about whether it will be held or not, we are working for it to be held».
Will it not take place when Trump, and the other great leaders of the world, arrive in Rome for the inauguration of the new Pontificate, i.e. in the coming weeks?
«Let us see. In the meantime, I would say that this could be another important opportunity for meeting, as Bergoglio’s funeral was. However, we need to organise a real Summit, not linked to the religious issue».
Another possible window: Trump and Ursula Von der Leyen will see each other at the NATO Summit in June. Or is it too far away?
«That could be an opportunity. But I think Rome is the most appropriate venue for the meeting and we are working to this end».
Do you also believe that Trump is realising that the policy of tariffs does not suit anyone and that Putin is untrustworthy?
« I think there is also awareness across the Atlantic that it pays to have a good relationship with Europe. Trump is right on the fact that Europe should do more on defence and security. But raising tariffs, if you want Europe to spend more on the military sector, is a contradiction».
In his peace proposal the US President says no to Ukraine in NATO. Is this not an excessive diktat?
«It seems to me that the path to take is Ukraine’s entry into the European Union».
Why do you not hurry up?
«I do not know how soon this entry can take place. We will do everything for this accession. In the meantime there is the entry of the Balkans in 2030, but I would like to bring it forward it and I believe it can be done».
Is Trump changing his attitude towards Ukraine?
«It is the Russians who are wasting time and forcing their hand. We support Trump’s mediation. The Americans are doing what they can. Their problem – and ours, too – is that the Russians keep bombing. They say they want to negotiate but, over and above declarations, they are not giving concrete responses to the USA and Europe».
Speaking of Europe, the EPP Congress begins today in Valencia. What role can you play in appeasing this sort of “third civil war – as Bergoglio called it – fought in bits and pieces”?
«I will give you some figures first. We are the largest political family in Europe, with more than 80 member parties, 14 European Commissioners plus President Von der Leyen, and 188 Members of Parliament in Strasbourg and Brussels. The Congress will bring together more than 800 delegates and 1,200 guests from 40 countries. Among others, the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EU Parliament, Metsola, the German Chancellorin pectore, Merz, the EPP President, Weber, myself and many others will speak».
A battleship like this that serves what purpose?
«The EPP is the Party that gives stability to Europe. Europe shall be the protagonist of a peaceful revolution, of which we are fully a part. An institutional revolution is needed to make the EU move forward to give concrete responses to its citizens. The criterion of unanimous decisions needs to be quickly removed. If we want to prevent populists from succeeding, we need to make this revolution on a large scale. And the EPP can only be in the vanguard of this revolution».
What will come out of the Valencia Congress?
«I will launch a series of messages: an end to unanimity; combining the positions of the President of the Commission and of the European Council; direct election of the EU President; more power of legislative initiative to the EU Parliament. And again: fewer rules and less bureaucracy; a new environmental policy that takes into account the social issue, as well as industry and agriculture, thus fostering growth. The EPP can be a protagonist of this revolution and Forza Italia, which is a pro-European Party, plays an important role in the EPP, for the additional reason that we need to rediscover the Union’s founding values and Europe’s true soul, which is neither bureaucratic nor centralist».
Is the Merz-Tajani pro-European axis ready?
«This is the reasoning to be followed. Germany, with a stable government, should be our country’s privileged counterpart. The relationship between the Italian and German EPP Parties has always served to strengthen relations between Italy and Germany. Previously there were the DC and the CDU, now there are Forza Italia and the CDU».
Earlier, you spoke of Rome’s prominence. At what stage is the law to give more strength to our capital city, which is also a way of giving more strength to Europe?
«The government and the majority are strongly committed on the Rome issue. There is the constitutional reform, whose first signatory is our group leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Barelli. It had already been adopted in the Chamber of Deputies in the last legislature; we resubmitted it and it is in the process of being adopted. If the government submits its own proposal, it will create a single reform project in which Forza Italia‘s idea will coincide with that of the government. This idea is very simple: Rome with special legislative powers and autonomy, including financial autonomy, exactly as it happens in Paris, Berlin, Washington. It seems to me that the proposals of the left-wing parties, which do contain some differences, can be compatible with our path».
The Ukraine Recovery Conference will be held in Rome on 10-11 July. Are we ready?
«We have been working on it for some time. We have already held a series of preparatory Summits. In the coming weeks there will be a Conference in Verona with local authorities and small companies for reconstruction in Ukraine. Other preparatory events were held in Brussels and also in Rome. Italy will play a leading role in Ukraine’s future. Our institutions, companies, and local authorities will be involved in the reconstruction of the country. Ukraine must be put back in a position to be what it was before. There is reconstruction during the war and reconstruction after the war is over. The work must begin immediately and we are there. But above all, we need to accelerate towards a serious, just, definitive peace that will put an end to this disgrace that we have had to endure».
