(by Claudio Salvalaggio).
Italian Premier Paolo
Gentiloni has told the UN General Assembly that countries cannot
confront global challenges on their own or by erecting walls,
relaunching a multilateral strategy and distancing himself from
US President Donald Trump's approach, without ever citing him.
"Preventing conflicts, natural disasters and ensuing
humanitarian and migration crises, which in turn cause
instability, does not mean building barriers," Gentiloni said in
his speech on Wednesday afternoon local time.
"Instead, it means implementing inclusive and sustainable
development", the Italian premier said, stressing the European
position traced the previous day by French President Emmanuel
Macron, although with softer nuances.
Gentiloni appeared to distance himself from Trump's approach
while seeking points of convergence with the US administration,
as registered during a Group of Seven meeting in Taormina in
May, something he noted in statements to Italian reporters
before his UN address.
"Trump brought his vision, with which he won the American
election, and we must respect it as our main ally", Gentiloni
told Italian reporters ahead of his speech.
"Respecting it does not mean that we don't acknowledge that
there are differences", he continues.
"We agree on the fight against terrorism and other challenges
but there are different positions on other issues like climate
change, free trade and the defense of national interests", he
said, adding that "the points of contact certainly prevail by
far".
"The issue is rather whether his call to the assembly to
confront authoritarian regimes and dictatorships is a task that
can be dealt with alone or by involving allies, and in this
regard the relationship between the US and Europe is
fundamental, as well as with the other members of the UN
Security Council".
Gentiloni's position on North Korea is to increase
international pressure while seeking a peaceful solution.
The premier also spoke about the Iranian nuclear deal in his
speech at the UN saying that, "we believe the international
community should ensure that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action can remain a success story as part of global efforts to
counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction".
"At the same time, we are convinced of the importance of a
full and integral implementation of UN resolution 2231", which
calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to
ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear
weapons.
Talking about other challenges like terrorism, climate and
immigration, Gentiloni urged to avoid "the temptation of seeking
refuge in isolation, racism and intolerance".
"Italy is, and wants to remain, a welcoming country, although
it is aware of the inseparable connection between the principle
of solidarity and security", he explained, asking however for a
global response to the phenomenon of migrations, that should
start "from the European Union and touch the entire
international community".
In this perspective, Gentiloni recalled that "the future of
Europe is in Africa".
In this context, Italy has made progress on Libya and
received the backing of French President Emmanuel Macros and
British Premier Theresa May, who have expressed their "full
support" for the road map of special UN envoy Ghassan Salame'
and the UN's return to Libya, which opens an important window of
opportunities, said the premier.
Gentiloni stressed that Italy remains "strongly involved with
Libyan authorities, at all levels" and that it supports
"inclusive dialogue" for a "united, democratic and stable" Libya
that is free from the threat of terrorism and able to cooperate
in managing migration flows.
The prime minister held bilateral talks with the leaders of
Qatar, Jordan, Libya, Great Britain and South Korea on the
sidelines of the UN General Assembly
He also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.
The Egyptian president took part in a high-level meeting on
Libya with Gentiloni, May and Macron.
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