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Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the countries gathering in Istanbul today want to lead a shift toward a policy that ends wars and counters the harmful effects of ongoing military conflicts. Tajani made the remarks to Anadolu Agency before departing for the meeting, which is hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and brings together Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy.

Tajani described the Turkish initiative as timely and productive and said Rome supports the idea of bringing European countries together with regional states to discuss conflicts in the Middle East. Alongside the region's wars, the participants are also expected to address the Russia-Ukraine conflict and threats to food security.

Common goal at the Istanbul table

Tajani said it is necessary to bring together countries and governments from Europe, the Arab world and the Islamic world. In Istanbul, Tajani argued, all the participating states share one objective: to be at the forefront of a return to a policy that ends wars and can withstand the negative effects of continuing military conflicts. The countries meeting today want to exert pressure on the parties responsible for conflicts that are devastating the region and impoverishing its peoples, Tajani said.

On the Russia-Ukraine war, also on the Istanbul agenda, Tajani said the expectation is for "negotiations for a just and lasting peace" between the parties. Asked about navigation problems in the Black Sea, where ships have recently been targeted, and in the Strait of Hormuz, where fertilizer shipments face difficulties, Tajani said food security remains a priority for Italian diplomacy. With the Food and Agriculture Organization, headquartered in Rome, Italy has formed a coalition to counter anything that reduces the world's freedom to supply grain and the fertilizers needed for agriculture.

That work has to continue while wars go on, Tajani said, but it is clear that everything must be done to bring the conflicts to a complete end. Disputes and rivalries should be settled through diplomacy rather than weapons, Tajani added.

Preventing a renewed full-scale conflict in the Gulf

Asked about the expected outcome of the meeting, Tajani said work is under way on a final declaration that would express the shared position of countries that have spent months working for peace on Israel and Palestine, Iran and the Persian Gulf. The first objective, in Tajani's view, should be to prevent a resumption of military hostilities in the Persian Gulf. There are many signs suggesting the war could restart after the U.S. elections, Tajani said, but such a development would be harmful for everyone.

The Gulf is going through a critical phase, according to Tajani, who called the indirect contacts established between Iran and the United States in New York and the subsequent exchange of negotiation proposals a positive step despite their open differences. Diplomacy is the only valid route to a sustainable solution, Tajani said, adding: "We do not want a full-scale conflict to resume."

Tajani said the ultimate goal is a comprehensive agreement covering all the key issues on the table, including Iran's nuclear program and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. "We cannot accept compromises on these issues," Tajani said, rejecting transit fees or other restrictions at Hormuz and calling on Europe and the international community to remain united, a message being conveyed clearly to Tehran and other regional capitals. The matter is also a strategic interest for the European Union, which Tajani said should play a more active role. Economic pressure can be a useful tool to push Iran toward an agreement, Tajani said, but it must be backed by credible negotiations and a concrete diplomatic outlook.

Yemen and the Red Sea

Tajani recalled that the attacks carried out by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia were strongly condemned and reiterated support and solidarity with Riyadh. A joint strategy is needed to address the Yemen crisis, with the aim of preventing an instability that could spread across the region and also affect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Tajani said the only solution is to restart the peace process in the country, preferably under the auspices of the United Nations.

Strengthening the EU's Aspides mission in the Red Sea is more urgent than ever, Tajani said, adding that the issue also concerns the credibility of Europe's role in the face of the crisis.

The two-state formula and the West Bank

Asked whether the EU and Italy have taken sufficient steps on a two-state solution, Tajani said Europe has a balanced and reasonable common view, summed up as the "two peoples, two states" formula. Important partners such as the United States and the leading countries of the Arab and Islamic world must be persuaded to come together and create the conditions for it, Tajani said.

Tajani said work continues to preserve a concrete prospect for the future establishment of a Palestinian state, including by preventing actions that jeopardize the territorial integrity of the West Bank and the prospects for its political future. The escalation of settler violence and the continuing expansion of settlements endanger regional stability and the possibility of implementing the two-state solution, Tajani said, adding that the government has condemned these actions on many occasions, including in joint statements issued with partners.

Italy is following the course of the election campaign in Israel without interfering in the country's internal debate, Tajani said, but the election results will show the extent to which Israel is ready to return in earnest to the table of political and diplomatic dialogue.

Gaza's humanitarian situation remains extremely serious

Tajani said there is a lack of concrete progress on the ground in Gaza and that developments in the implementation of Resolution 2803 have been inadequate. There is no alternative to supporting the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Tajani said, adding that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains extremely serious. With winter approaching, aid to the population must continue without interruption.

Italy continues to support the 20-point plan prepared for a comprehensive peace, and hopes to see more progress in implementing it after the elections in Israel. Tajani also voiced support for the peace efforts in Lebanon carried out with U.S. mediation, saying the conditions for negotiations to continue must be preserved. As the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon nears its end, the priority is to prevent any security vacuum, Tajani said.

Key takeaways

• Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called Turkey's Istanbul meeting timely and productive and said participants want to lead a policy that ends wars and counters their effects.
• Tajani said the first goal is to prevent a resumption of military hostilities in the Persian Gulf, citing signs the war could restart after the U.S. elections.
• Rome rejects transit fees or restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz and supports a comprehensive deal covering Iran's nuclear program and navigation freedom.
• Tajani said the Gaza humanitarian situation remains extremely serious and backed the 20-point peace plan and uninterrupted aid ahead of winter.