ROME (ITALPRESS) – At Villa Taverna, “I will certainly be there, and other government representatives will also be there, precisely to demonstrate that, for us, transatlantic relations are a fundamental point of our foreign policy, regardless of inappropriate remarks made by President Trump. Now we must look forward; we do not want to fuel controversy; instead, we want to ensure that within the Atlantic alliance we can work well to guarantee the security of all our citizens and continue to work with the United States because we have many shared interests: we are the two faces of the West, and it is right that we work together; then when there are points of contrast and different opinions, we say so, as is always done among allies. We will certainly go to Villa Taverna with our heads held high and shoulders straight.” Thus spoke Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Radio24. Regarding the words of the NATO Secretary General, “I think Rutte said some wrong things, then he corrected himself, because Italy has always respected international treaties; we have never provided bases for American attacks against Iran; we authorized the use of the bases only for what is foreseen by the treaties we have with the United States, that is, solely logistical use and not for war activities. We are perfectly in order; we also told the Iranian government this in a long conversation I had with Foreign Minister Araghchi, explaining that American bombers have never left Italy to strike Iran.” As for a possible role for Italy in Lebanon, “first, the fighting must cease,” he emphasizes, then “after the ceasefire, we are ready to play an important role for the stability of that country, where there is a traditional Italian presence. Hezbollah has a great responsibility at this stage, but it is Iran that must tell Hezbollah that it is time to end the attacks on Israel” and “the war, because in the end Hezbollah takes orders from Tehran, so I believe it is essential that the Tehran regime says the word ‘end’,” the minister recalls. On national politics, Tajani does not see his leadership in Forza Italia as being at risk. “Leaderships are chosen by the members. There was a congress that elected me; at the next Forza Italia congress – which I believe will be held next year – whoever wants to run will run. We'll see when the vote is held and then we will decide the timing” of the congress. “I am not attached to the chair, and I am ready to welcome any idea or proposal,” he adds. “Internal squabbles do not interest me because they are mainly exaggerated; no one has ever said they aspire to be the leader of Forza Italia,” he reiterates. Looking ahead to the next general elections, “we do not want to lose; in politics you always play to win, but with consistency. We want to win the elections with a program, with a project, and to be judged by Italian citizens for good governance and for the ideas we have.” For this reason, “it is not a matter of taking on or not taking on Vannacci”; he has decided “to stay outside the center-right: he votes against the government; it is his choice, and he keeps saying it. It seems to me that, for now, he is saying things absolutely different from what we say; otherwise he would not vote against the government every time. So it is he who is on the outside and risks becoming more and more the fifth column of the left.” As for the mayoral candidate in Milan, “the leadership will decide who the best possible candidate is; I believe that a civic candidate could be the best because it broadens consensus and expands the electoral base; I am absolutely convinced of this,” and “I will say so when it comes time to choose the mayoral candidates for Rome, Milan, Turin, and Naples,” Tajani concludes.
(ITALPRESS)
– foto: Ipa Agency –
