Meeting of Deputy Prime Minister Tajani with the Ambassadors of the League of Arab States and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, met today at the Foreign Ministry with representatives of the League of Arab States and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation to discuss recent developments in the Middle East crisis.

The focus of Hon. Tajani's speech was the Italian government's desire for dialogue and stability in the Middle East region, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and - faced with the recent drone and missile attack by Iran on Israel - the condemnation of any form of retaliation and aggression that could lead to a tragic escalation in the Middle East region, to the detriment of the political, economic and commercial interests of all the countries involved.

An attack - as Hon. Tajani said, while recalling his 12 April phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian - which "raises the utmost concern in a context of strong escalation, in which any further hostile action could trigger a wider conflict likely to involve the entire region". In this context of extreme fragility, Hon. Tajani added: "Italy is making every effort to urge all the actors in the region to show moderation, also in its capacity as G7 Presidency". Minister Tajani then emphasised the importance of dialogue and cooperation to help achieve peace and stability in the entire region.

While recalling the urgency of strengthening assistance to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, Minister Tajani then recalled his personal commitment and the Italian government's commitment to the humanitarian initiative "Food for Gaza", launched together with FAO, the World Food Programme, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent to facilitate the access of aid to Gaza. While stressing that there can be no solution to the crisis in Gaza without the full involvement of all regional actors and the acceptance of the principle of two peoples and two States, coexisting in mutual recognition and respect, Hon. Tajani said: "Faced with escalating tensions, the promotion of dialogue and diplomacy remains the key to facilitating solutions that prioritise humanity and cooperation over prolonged discord."

In the run-up to the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting scheduled to take place in Capri on 17-19 April, Hon. Tajani concluded: "Today's meeting is a useful opportunity for dialogue and an exchange of views to gather and voice the demands of the participating States on the Middle East issue, within the G7".