“I understand the reasons for the discontent, I understand the reasons for the protest, but in my opinion it is wrong to block the motorways.” Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani intervenes on the protests of hauliers against high fuel prices, launching an appeal for dialogue and discussion from the Coldiretti international agriculture and food forum. «The right demands, the right demonstrations to solicit interventions from the road transport sector must not, however, turn into damage for producers and consumers», underlines Tajani.
«The government has already organized a meeting, there will be others»
The deputy prime minister disputes the effectiveness of the blockades: “It’s not like the cost of diesel is lowered if the motorway is blocked.” Hence the invitation to continue the discussion: “The government has already organized a meeting yesterday, there will be others.”
The riots in Milan: «Dissent is sacred, but it manifests itself in a civil manner»
Tajani also focuses on the riots in Milan. «In a democracy the freedom of dissent, the freedom of protest is sacred. But the limit of one’s freedom, as Voltaire said, is the freedom of others”, he states. “I am not in favor of stifling freedom of demonstration, quite the opposite”, he specifies, recalling the need to protest peacefully, without aggression and damage. “You demonstrate in a civil manner, you don’t destroy the windows, you don’t attack the police, the carabinieri, the financiers, you don’t destroy the shops, you don’t loot the shops, you protest peacefully.”
Support for Maurizio Martina for the leadership of FAO
During the forum, the Foreign Minister also reiterates the Italian government’s support for the candidacy of Maurizio Martina, current deputy director general of the FAO, to lead the United Nations food and agriculture organisation. «We are absolutely convinced that the current number two of the FAO, Maurizio Martina, can be the best guide for the FAO of tomorrow», declares Tajani. The objective, he adds, is to offer the international organization “a quality leader”.