The curtain falls on the G7 ministerial meeting in Capri. The Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, together with the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell, have «recorded great unity of intent and convergence on the most important international issues, from the Middle east to the Red Sea to the situation in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific”, said Antonio Tajani in the conference at the end of the summit. «We have also decided – continues the Italian Foreign Minister – to ensure that our collaboration is permanent and there is constant contact day after day between the ministries for an exchange of information and increasingly common choices on major international issues, including the disinformation”. In the final statement from the Foreign Ministerial, the war in the Middle East and the appeal to prevent further escalation: «In light of the news on the raids of 19 April, we invite all parties to work to prevent escalation. The G7 will continue to work towards this end. We ask all parties, both in the region and beyond, to offer their contribution to this effort”, we read in the document which also underlines “opposition to a large-scale military operation in Rafah, which would have catastrophic on the civilian population”. For Gaza “we reiterated our no to the Israeli military offensive in Rafah and that our objective is to have two states and two peoples”, reiterated Tajani.
«Ready for new sanctions on Iran»
The attack on Iran attributed to Israel today, Friday 19 April, was also at the center of the opening of the last day of the summit. The Foreign Ministers reiterated their invitation to Tel Aviv and Tehran not to react. Then, the message to Iran: «We demand that Iran and its affiliated groups cease their attacks. We will hold the Iranian government accountable for its harmful and destabilizing actions and stand ready to take additional sanctions or other measures, now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives.” While in a passage dedicated to Ukraine, the Seven reiterated that «if Iran were to proceed with the supply of ballistic missiles or related technologies to Russia, we are ready to respond in a rapid and coordinated manner, including with new and significant measures» .
«Italy will do everything possible for the air protection of Ukraine»
The Seven will also continue to “support Ukraine’s right to self-defense and reaffirm our commitment to long-term security,” they write in the final document. «We are intensifying our defense and security assistance to Ukraine and increasing our production and delivery capabilities – they continue -. We support efforts to help Ukraine build a future force capable of self-defense and deterrence. We express our determination in particular to strengthen air defense capabilities to save human lives and protect critical infrastructure.” And then again: «We support Ukraine in obtaining compensation for losses, injuries and damages resulting from Russia’s aggression».
While Moscow’s sovereign assets “immobilized” in the seven countries will remain so “until its aggression ceases and it pays for the damages caused. We welcome the adoption by the EU of legal acts regarding extraordinary revenues held by private entities arising directly from Russia’s immobilized sovereign assets, also with a view to exploring ways to maximize the benefit for Ukraine – they underline -. We will continue our work ahead of the summit in Puglia on possible viable options through which immobilized Russian sovereign assets could be used to support Ukraine, in line with our respective legal systems and international law.” And on the delivery of Italy’s weapons to Kiev, Tajani finally confirmed “what the Prime Minister said, also in light of my conversation with Minister Crosetto in the presence of the Ukrainian Minister Kuleba”. That is: “We will do everything possible for the air protection of Ukraine, let’s see what can be done”, specified the Italian Foreign Minister, responding to a question on Kiev’s request for Samp-t.
«Moscow responsible for the death of Alexei Navalny»
Foreign ministers also condemned Moscow for the killing of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. «We will not stop holding those responsible for the death of Alexei Navalny accountable, including by continuing to impose restrictive measures and other appropriate actions in response to human rights violations and abuses in Russia. We condemn the Kremlin’s systematic repression of dissident voices and call on Russia to release all political prisoners”, reads the final statement.
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Tags: Ceasefire Gaza support Kiev sanctions Iran Tajani unanimous choices
