The formal recognition of
Palestine must be reserved for a time when it will be useful for
the peace process, not simply as a symbolic act, Italian Foreign
Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Wednesday.
During a question-and-answer session in the Lower House,
Gentiloni said Italy's position is "clear and consistent" in
calling for the establishment of two states, Israel and
Palestine.
"We continue to cooperate in this with the Palestinian
authorities and we make our voice heard, as it will be next
Saturday with President Mattarella's mission," he said.
Mattarella will arrive in Jerusalem on October 29 and
remain until November 2 for institutional meetings in Israel as
well as talks with the Palestinian National Authority.
"Negotiations are stalled, which produces elements of great
difficulty such as the proliferation of settlements and
violence, which we condemn without ifs, ands or buts," Gentiloni
said, adding that recognition of a formal Palestinian state
"must be a step within this process".
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