Italian Foreign Minister: NATO gets stronger with Finland’s membership

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani answered the questions of foreign journalists residing in Italy about the agenda at the Foreign Press Association in the capital, Rome.

Saying that Finland has become a member of NATO today, Tajani said, «NATO is getting stronger with Finland’s membership. Ultimately, I believe that Sweden will also be a part of NATO.» said.

Expressing that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine strengthens the unity of the West, Tajani said that this situation caused the two previously non-member countries to want to be a part of NATO.

The Italian minister stated that they should work on European defence.

Emphasizing that Italy is not against Russia, Tajani said, «We are not against Russia, the Russian people, but we are against aggression that violates international law.» used the phrase.

Tajani also said about the Russian Ambassador to Rome, Sergey Razov, who was preparing to leave his post, «The appointment of a new ambassador to Italy is the decision of that country. Razov, who will leave his post, sometimes went too far. He made political comments that normally diplomatic representatives cannot do.» he said.

The situation in Tunisia

Tajani also pointed to the situation in Tunisia, «We have always said that reforms need to be made in Tunisia, but we cannot leave the suffering Tunisian people. We must help Tunisians to get out of this period of economic hardship. We encourage for reforms. Africa is not through European lenses,» Tajani said. We have to look through African glasses.» made its assessment.

Saying that Italy’s offer to support Tunisia was met, Tajani said that they offered to give 300 million euros to Tunisia to make reforms.

«If Tunisia wants the second tranche, concrete results on reforms need to be achieved.» Tajani said that he had suggested that Tunisia be financed in slices, both in the Council of Europe and in his meeting with the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken.

Irregular immigration issue

Regarding the recent increase in the arrival of irregular immigrants via Tunisia, Tajani said, «The arrivals are not Tunisians, but mostly from the Ivory Coast. 15 thousand 625 immigrants came from Tunisia, 10 thousand 706 immigrants from Libya, 199 immigrants from Algeria. A total of 26 thousand 530 people came. «Tunisia is in great financial trouble. The border with Libya is also very free. Many immigrants are coming from Libya who want to go north.» made its assessment.

Stressing that they want to see more commitment from Europe on irregular migration, Tajani said, «Italian coasts are the border of Europe. We are also worried about the Balkan route. We have introduced some rules regarding NGOs that do rescue at sea. We said they cannot be a taxi driver at sea. NGO» There is no obstacle in front of the rescuers.» used the phrases.

Arguing that the perception that they «do not want to save» irregular migrants at sea is not correct, Tajani said, «But it is necessary to prevent human traffickers. We do not want the Mediterranean to become a graveyard.» said.

Western Balkans, Iran and Libya

Stating that he is also optimistic about the agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, Tajani said, «We are determined to achieve stability and promote EU membership. Time was lost on the European side, creating disappointment from time to time. However, we cannot waste time leaving the Western Balkans open to the influence of other countries.» made its assessment.

Underlining that Iran should respect agreements on the production of nuclear weapons, Tajani said, «We have a traditional friendship with Iran, but Tehran did not listen to our call for human rights. For us, the death penalty for demonstrators is an unwavering red line.» he said.

Tajani said that they are working to hold elections in Libya.

Right coalition government is working towards the «Presidential system»

Reminding that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in favor of the presidential system in Italy and asked whether the government can finalize the work on this issue, Tajani said, «As the whole of the centre-right, we are in favor of the presidential system. Minister for Reforms, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, listens to all parties. There are different ideas and suggestions. Later, a formula will be sought that we hope to share with everyone. When it comes to constitutional reforms, all powers should do this. If there is rapprochement, it is better, but the important thing is that there is no veto. We have been defending the presidential system since 1994.» she replied.

Bill prohibiting the use of foreign terms in public administration

Tajani said:

«I have always defended the Italian language, my mother tongue, the language of Dante Alighieri. But this bill, the proposal of a parliamentarian, not the government. It needs the approval of the parliament, the senate to become law, but defending the Italian language has nothing to do with Mussolini. Fascism ended in 1945. «What has passed is none of our business. Mussolini has done more harm than good.»