Tajani at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Antonio Tajani, is today at Brussels to participate in the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (CAE).

During the mission to Brussels The Vice President will also have political meetings with the designated High Representative Kaja kallas and with some designated EU Commissioners, with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte and with the Moldovan Foreign Minister, Mikhail Popsoy.

The European meeting, chaired by the High Representative Josep Borrell, will open with a dedicated working session to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which will also be attended by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Sybiha. “1000 days after the unjustified Russian aggression, it is important that the EU, also in the framework of the G7 Leaders' Declaration approved yesterday, remains united in its support for Ukraine and its people, to reach a just peace and work on the reconstruction of the country” declared the Minister Tajani.

This will be followed by an exchange on the situation in Georgia following the recent elections. On this point, Minister Tajani will reiterate the need to maintain open a constructive dialogue with the Georgian authorities, while at the same time asking for clarity on the irregularities reported during the vote.

The Council's work will continue with an informal breakfast to discuss the EU-US relations in light of the outcome of the November Presidential elections. “The United States remains our principal ally in promoting international stability in the world,” he indicated Tajani, which will insist on the need for the EU should be more of a protagonist and more autonomous, while working to maintain the new Trump administration committed to the transatlantic partnership.

Regarding the situation in Middle East, according to the Deputy Prime Minister "the crisis in the region is a priority for the Italian Presidency of the G7. The issue will be at the centre of the meeting of Foreign Ministers in Fiuggi-Anagni on 25-26 November. We must keep the dialogue open with all the actors, asking them to exercise moderation and to commit to reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and the release of the hostages". Tajani will then insist on the humanitarian situation, recalling the results of the Humanitarian Conference in Pescara, and on the need for continue to support the UNIFIL mission. The Minister will confirm the importance of maintaining a high commitment to humanitarian intervention for the populations of Syria.

Finally, Minister Tajani will intervene to ask for greater attention from Europe to Security situation in the Horn of Africa, in particular in Somalia and in the crucial area for our trade of the Red Sea, hoping for increased support for the new African Union mission for the stabilization of the country.