Brussels, 3 February 2024 (TDI): Antonio Tajani, Foreign Minister of Italy engaged in a bilateral meeting with his Indonesian counterpart on the sidelines of the EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting. The meeting aimed to address pressing regional issues and foster diplomatic ties between Italy and Indonesia.
During the meeting, Tajani reiterated Italy’s commitment to broadening its engagement with the Asian and Islamic worlds. He emphasized Indonesia’s pivotal role as the most populous Islamic country in the world and a leading nation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The discussion encompassed strategies to prevent the escalation of conflicts to a regional level and expedite the transition to a diplomatic phase. Additionally, there were plans to coordinate future aid efforts for the reconstruction of Gaza.
Regarding the situation in Gaza, Tajani emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation among regional stakeholders to facilitate a peaceful resolution. He expressed Italy’s support for Indonesia’s efforts to promote negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
He also underscored the shared goal of achieving a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian National Authority Indonesia.
Furthermore, Minister Tajani expressed solidarity with Indonesia’s aspirations for OECD membership and assured Italy’s willingness to support Indonesia in this endeavor.
The meeting highlighted the strong bilateral relationship and underscored their commitment to advancing mutual interests on the global stage. He expressed Italy’s desire for strong Italy-Indonesia ties.
Additionally, he addressed domestic and international concerns during his visit to Brussels. He condemned violence and emphasized the need for a nuanced approach to addressing societal challenges, including climate change.
He also advocated for pragmatic environmental policies that balance ecological concerns with socioeconomic considerations.
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In addition, Tajani also touched upon the case of Ilaria Salis, a detained individual in Hungary. He also expressed Italy’s commitment to ensuring a fair trial and upholding the rights of the accused.
Tajani emphasized the importance of depoliticizing the case to safeguard the interests of the prisoner.
Von der Leyen’s Presidency ahead
During his visit to Brussels, Tajani expressed support for Ursula von der Leyen’s candidacy for the presidency of the European Commission. In other discussions, he reiterated his endorsement of her candidacy.
Ursula von der Leyen was nominated by the European People’s Party (EPP) as its candidate for the Commission presidency.
Minister Tajani expressed confidence that the EPP will emerge victorious in the elections. This would position its chosen candidate as the future president of the Commission.
He emphasized that von der Leyen holds a strong position within the EPP and is perceived to be in pole position for the presidency.
Moreover, he also highlights von der Leyen’s responsiveness to Italy’s concerns in recent months. He underscored her attentiveness to the needs of Italy as a crucial factor in their decision to back her for the Commission presidency.
