«The statements of the president of the United States speak for themselves. We do not want and must not fuel any controversy.” From Reggio Calabria, where he participated together with the mayor Francesco Cannizzaro in the presentation of the Conference of scientific, space and agricultural experts, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani chose not to fuel the conflict after Donald Trump’s latest statements on Giorgia Meloni.
“We have said it from the beginning: we will not react because we believe that transatlantic relations are so strong that they go beyond extemporaneous jokes,” the minister said.
Tajani in Reggio with mayor Cannizzaro«Italy and the USA are two sides of the same coin»
Tajani reiterated the centrality of the alliance with Washington. “We are friends and allies of the United States, we are two sides of the same coin, that of the West, and we will continue to work to ensure that the commitments undertaken are respected within NATO.”
The minister confirmed that the Government intends to continue along the path of increasing security spending, with the aim of reaching 5% within ten years. «Spending on security also means guaranteeing peace. When there is balance between forces there is peace,” he explained.
«Europe must strengthen its defense»
According to Tajani, greater European autonomy in the defense sector represents a choice of credibility and strengthens the relationship with the United States. «If we really want to be on par with the USA we must be able to guarantee our security, within a system of alliances but without thinking that it is only the Americans who defend us. It is a choice of seriousness, dignity and credibility.”
The deputy prime minister then also responded to the opposition’s criticisms, arguing that simultaneously contesting the increase in military spending and excessive dependence on the United States represents a contradiction.
«Defense spending will not take away resources from health and social care»
Looking to the NATO summit in Ankara, Tajani announced that Italy will confirm the commitments made on increasing investments in security. “We will present ourselves with an increase of up to 2.8%, giving an important signal in a particularly delicate moment,” he said.
Finally, the minister assured that the increase in resources allocated to defense “will not be to the detriment of healthcare and social spending”, reiterating that Italy will continue to work to strengthen the bond between Europe and the United States within the Atlantic Alliance.
The words on Vannacci
«As far as the centre-right is concerned, it was Vannacci who came out and voted against the government: it was his autonomous choice to act as a crutch for the left. But I prefer to take care of things to do rather than start controversies. And as far as I’m concerned the objective is the economic growth of our country, the well-being of families through the growth of businesses because they are the ones that create jobs.” The deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said this during a press conference held in Reggio Calabria, together with the new mayor Francesco Cannizzaro.