Italy aims to recognize Palestine as a state and is ready to take part in a possible peacekeeping mission, said the head of the Italian Foreign Ministry, Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani.
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“Yes, our path leads there, but it will take time, because Palestine must also be recognized by Israel, and she, in turn, must recognize Israel. The unilateral initiatives that I have seen so far from some countries do not serve Palestine , nor to the world,” he said when asked about Palestinian recognition.
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Tajani, who went on a visit to Israel and Palestine on Monday, said he thought the “disconnection mission”, which was organized by an international body such as the UN, was a good idea.
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“On condition that it will be led by Arabs. This can help strengthen peace and strengthen the Palestinian Authority,” the minister said.
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Speaking about the peacekeeping mission, Tajani added that it is “in its infancy,” but Italy is “ready to take part with a certain contingent.”
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“More generally, we need a European presence in the Middle East. And in Palestine, Europe could play a role if an agreement acceptable to both sides was reached,” the foreign minister said.
