During the Conference “Mediterranean Connections”, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke with Alessandro Barbano, editor of L’Altravoce. Their conversation covered many topics, ranging from peace negotiations in Ukraine to relations with the United States, and the reforms the government is pushing forward.
Minister, we have spent two days discussing the development of Southern Italy. All of our discussions are set against a backdrop of great geopolitical uncertainty: the EU has amended President Trump’s plan for peace in Ukraine. You said that peace plans must not resemble a disguised surrender. How important is for these negotiations to conclude honourably, ensuring Ukrainian sovereignty?
“I believe that having a just peace is a signal to the entire world. For Europe, it is essential to protect Ukraine to make it clear that the strongest are not entitled to do as they please, in defiance of law and every rule of international coexistence. Bearing this in mind, peace must certainly be achieved. There is a clause proposed by Italy, a sort of NATO’s Article 5, which stipulates that, in the event of an attack, allied countries should intervene to defend the attacked country. It is very important, however, that the United States is also part of this peace plan.”
Some say that President Trump’s plan is the result of Europe’s disengagement from other regions, such as the Middle East. How do you see the present and future of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance?
“It is a fundamental alliance that is in the nature of the West. The United States and the EU are two sides of the same coin, but Europe needs to do more because over the years it has relied too much on the defence guarantee provided by the United States. NATO is supported by two pillars – an American and a European one – and we Europeans have a duty to strengthen our contribution. Italy plays an important role in this respect, too. If there is a balance of power, peace can be better defended: if you want to be a bearer of peace, you need a military force that cannot be easily overcome.”
Doesn’t Italy’s closeness to the United States run the risk of reducing our country’s level of Europeanism?
“Thanks to Italy, relations between the United States and the whole of Europe have improved. I am a staunch Europeanist and would never be part of an anti-European government, but I am also a staunch Atlanticist. The two things go hand in hand; they are not alternative projects. An effort is obviously needed to reconcile the two perspectives; we must have the political ability to make them compatible. The important thing is to maintain a solid relationship between equals.”
To establish parity, we need to strengthen the defence system. But each European country is acting on its own, while struggling to build a common defence. The same holds true for the issue of European governance and the overcoming of unanimous vote.
“We in Forza Italia are in favour of going beyond unanimity, because it risks blocking Europe. In his last public speech, Berlusconi left behind a sort of political testament mentioning two major European issues, i.e. going beyond unanimous vote and building a common defence. Institutional reforms are needed at the European level: overcoming unanimous vote; the reform that must enable the EU Parliament to have legislative initiative. It would also be necessary to merge the roles of the President of the Commission and the President of the EU Council. Furthermore, the internal market needs to be completed: banking union and tax harmonization need to be achieved. These are issues that affect the survival of our industrial system. We need to invest in these reforms if we want to be competitive in the era of major global forces. As Secretary of Forza Italia, I will always fight for these reforms.”
But what is the mood prevailing in Europe? There is little convergence among European families on these issues.
“Our interest is not to be marginalized in global competition. Having a strong Europe does not mean being against one’s own country: Europe was born from the history of the Roman Empire and Christianity. We must understand that Europe is our identity and our history; it is not a frill or a superstructure. It is a civilization, a model, which also has the defence of the rights of every person at its core. This is European humanism: we cannot help but believe in Europe, which should not be confused with EU bureaucracy.”
The other day, the EU Parliament held a vote on the defence of Ukraine. Lega abstained, while Forza Italia and Fratelli d’Italia (FdI) voted in favour. Could these divisions challenge the government majority’s balance?
“We are sending the twelfth package of military support to Ukraine, and, as Italy, we are at the forefront of these efforts. There is no division in Parliament. There are different positions in the peace debate, but Italy has never left Ukraine alone, and that’s all that matters. We need to endeavour to end the war that has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. I also trust President Trump’s desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize: he will do everything to bring Zelensky and Putin to the negotiating table.”
Our Conference is called “Mediterranean Connections.” The Mattei plan aims to establish a connection with Africa. Does this entail a different approach to immigration policies, especially considering the demographic crisis afflicting our country?
“Let me give you an example: I have recently been on a mission in Africa. When inaugurating the Italian Cultural Institute in Senegal, I attended an Italian lesson given to about fifteen Senegalese workers who would be coming to work in Italy and who were studying Italian to be better integrated. Our companies need manpower; we must encourage legal immigration, train immigrants, prepare them, and help them integrate. These people must have decent work and not be exploited.”
We are in a phase of institutional transition. Citizens will have their say on justice in a referendum, and other reforms have been launched, including electoral law and the so-called Premierato (a constitutional reform aimed at creating a parliamentary republic with a stronger Prime Minister). Can they be implemented quickly?
“Reforms are essential to ensure that the country functions better. The three reforms – justice, Premierato, and Regions’ differentiated autonomy – were in our electoral platform. For us in Forza Italia, the priority was justice. It is a common sense reform that ensures balance and depoliticizes the judiciary. Justice also has a significant impact on the economy: the slow pace of civil justice causes damage amounting to 3-4% of GDP each year, and for this reason, we will also push for civil justice reform. The other reforms will also go on: differentiated autonomy must be a guarantee for all citizens, from Reggio Calabria to Bolzano. We must not make the mistake of implementing a reform that privileges only one part of the country to the detriment of others. I hope we can also implement the Premierato reform before the end of the legislature. I reiterate, however, that for us, the most important reform is the reform of justice: it was Silvio Berlusconi’s fight, but it is also the struggle for a civilized country in which citizens’ rights take precedence over State’s rights. There are too many cases of miscarriage of justice, and we now look to the future with optimism: as a citizen, I will vote Yes in the referendum.”
