Meeting of the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, with the Secretary for Relations with States to the Holy See, Archbishop Paul[...]

The Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, met today at the Farnesina with the Secretary for Relations with States to the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, for the periodic bilateral consultations between Italy and the Holy See.

During the meeting, some of the main current international issues were discussed, with particular reference to the war in Ukraine, peace and security in the Middle East, and the situation in the Western Balkans.

The Italian Deputy Prime Minister reiterated the Italian government's intention to continue to provide Ukraine with political, military, humanitarian, financial and economic support for as long as it is needed. He expressed great appreciation for the Holy See's efforts to foster dialogue between the parties, praising the action of the Pope's special envoy, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi.

Regarding the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Tajani stressed the Italian government's great commitment to the stabilisation of Tunisia, recalling the Italian Prime Minister's visit to Tunis with the Dutch Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission. During the consultations, there was also a discussion on the Middle East peace process and the situation in Libya, Lebanon and Syria.

The Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Archbishop Gallagher also discussed the tensions between Serbia and Kosovo. In this regard, Italy firmly supports a de-escalation and calls on the parties to fully implement the agreement reached in Ohrid on 18 March. Tajani recalled the importance that Italy attaches to the path of European integration of the Western Balkans.

Lastly, the bilateral consultations made it possible to discuss the preparations for the 2025 Jubilee, on the occasion of which the Italian government will provide the Holy See with all the necessary assistance, including with regard to the issuance of visas to religious figures and pilgrims.