eduardo romagnoli
“The G7 has once again talked about migratory phenomena, human trafficking and illegal flows.” In the conference prior to her return to Italy to address the emergency plaguing Emilia Romagna, Giorgia Meloni explained how Italy has put the issue of migrants at the center of the table for the Great Ones of the Earth. “We discussed Africa, Tunisia, irregular immigration. Issues that are very close to our hearts”, stressed the Prime Minister, emphasizing the difference in approach between Italy and the other African countries. «I have been in Ethiopia and there is a dam there that produces energy for the entire region and it was built by Italians, we adopted a cooperation that leaves something behind. The challenge is to make Africans understand that they must make the most of their resources and help them. During the summit, Italy presented the Mattei Plan for Africa which “received a lot of support”. And precisely on the issue of migrants in Hiroshima, a confrontation between Giorgia Meloni, the director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, and the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen over Tunisia, was fostered. “It is a very difficult situation, with evident political fragility and a risk of financial default just around the corner. We have a negotiation between the International Monetary Fund, the IMF and Tunisia effectively blocked. There is some rigidity in the IMF in the face of the fact that all the necessary guarantees have not been obtained from President Saied. It is understandable on the one hand, on the other are we sure that this rigidity is the best way? If this government goes home, do we know what the alternatives might be?” Meloni said.
Ukraine
Zelensky also reached Hiroshima. The Ukrainian president received the will of the tenant of the White House, Joe Biden, to supply the kyiv army with F16 fighter jets. Now, however, it is necessary to train Ukrainian pilots and Italy could play a role in this regard. “We have not made a decision on the training of Ukrainian pilots to drive the F16, we will make an evaluation with the allies,” declared the Italian president. On the occasion, Giorgia Meloni also wanted to remove some pebbles from her shoe. “If we had followed the propaganda that helping the Ukrainians was a losing battle, if we had abandoned the Ukrainians, we would be living in a world of chaos today. The issue is that a permanent member of the UN Security Council has invaded his neighbor in violation of international law. If that right is not defended on the field, we would not have other opportunities. We will continue to support Ukraine but they are doing most of the work.” Meloni did not want to anticipate the conclusions of the summit, which will be presented tonight by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, but wanted to reiterate that support for Ukraine will be there as long as it is necessary.
G7 in Italy
Giorgia Meloni returned to Italy after the conference one day before. “I cannot be left out in such a complex period. I need to work personally” on the emergency that plagues Emilia Romagna, as well as organize the Council of Ministers on Tuesday in the best possible way. He then anticipated that the G7 of 2024 that is expected in Italy will be held in Puglia. “We will bring the big south of Italy. Puglia is a bridge between east and west”, she said. The summit will take place after the European ones scheduled for June 9 and 10, “we will organize it immediately after”.
the role of the sea
Italy also wanted to draw the attention of the Great Ones of the Earth to the issue of the sea. «More than 80% of international trade travels by sea. The discovery and opening of new maritime routes has always brought with it great historical and social changes. Today we also face the risk that climate change could open up new passages, hitherto impassable, in the Northeast and Northwest. Passages, especially the northeast, which risk being controlled by other powers,” Meloni recalled.
Peace with Trudeau and Macron
The prime minister also wanted to put an end to the controversy unleashed by the Canadian president who said he was concerned about the LGBTQ + policies of the Italian government. “Canadian President Trudeau was probably a bit hasty in making this statement. I explained to him that we have not taken any action on this matter and therefore there is nothing to worry about. I think he was the victim of fake news, I told him about it and I think he realized it himself.” While the French president, after the attacks in recent weeks, wanted to give his support to Italy on the issue of migrants, saying that France is willing to work on common borders.