Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said countries gathered in Istanbul today want to work together to lower tensions in the Middle East and guarantee freedom of navigation. Tajani attended a meeting of foreign ministers from R4 (Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia) and E3 (the United Kingdom, Germany, France), hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Speaking to Italian reporters after the talks, Tajani backed dialogue over a military solution, called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened to traffic, rejected Israel's decision to impose a full blockade on the West Bank, and urged the immediate release of five Italian activists detained there by the Israeli army.

Istanbul meeting brings R4 and E3 ministers together

Tajani joined the foreign ministers of R4 and E3 at a session hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul, then gave an impromptu assessment to members of the Italian press.

He said those present at the Istanbul meeting favour lowering the temperature in the region. "We want to work together to de-escalate tensions and guarantee freedom of navigation," he said.

Energy prices and food security

Tajani said the participants are well aware that rising natural gas and oil prices have left the world's economies in difficulty. "Energy is of primary importance for industrialised countries. Food security matters in the same way, and fertilizer and grain shipments through the Black Sea to Africa and other countries need to be secured," he said.

Dialogue over military action

Tajani said the problems should be resolved through dialogue. "We fully support a policy of dialogue. I do not believe the problem can be solved militarily. If we want to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital to our economies, we must encourage dialogue," he said, adding that Iran must be told it cannot continue with its current stance.

He also backed efforts to secure navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, where Italian troops serve in the European Union's ASPIDES mission in the Red Sea and where the Atalanta operation runs further south. "Italy is therefore taking a leading role in these efforts on behalf of peace," he said. Tajani said European and Muslim countries will meet again in Berlin, then Cairo and then Rome to build a common position and continue working for peace.

Opposition to the West Bank blockade

Addressing the Israeli government's decision to impose a full blockade on the West Bank, Tajani said: "We do not agree with this decision." He said Italy wants the Palestinian people to realise their aspirations and to live in peace with Israel, whose security must be guaranteed.

"But Israel's security problem cannot be solved by targeting the Palestinian population, particularly peaceful Christian villages. Hamas must be disarmed, stability must be restored in Gaza and terrorists must be completely disarmed and neutralised. That is an important point. But we cannot ignore the importance of establishing a Palestinian state," he said. The West Bank and Gaza should be reunited and the Palestinian Authority strengthened to create an independent state that recognises Israel and is recognised by it, he said.

Release of five Italian activists sought

Tajani called what happened to five Italian women activists detained by the Israeli army in the West Bank "unacceptable", saying they had committed no crime. He condemned violent Israeli settlers over the incident.

"We Italians demand the immediate release of the five women detained by the Israeli army. We hope they will be sent back to Italy in the coming hours," Tajani said.

Key takeaways

• Tajani said the Istanbul participants want to jointly lower Middle East tensions and guarantee freedom of navigation.
• He backed dialogue over a military solution and urged that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened to traffic.
• Italy rejects Israel's full blockade of the West Bank and supports creating an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
• Rome demands the immediate release of five Italian women activists detained by the Israeli army in the West Bank.