Brussels, 15 Oct. (LaPresse) – “For Europe to carry more weight, it needs a common spokesperson. The important thing is that this is decided swiftly.” This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the EPP pre-summit in Brussels. “The important thing,” he emphasised, “is that Europe has a spokesperson authorised to negotiate in the name and on behalf of the entire Union. This role could take various forms; it could be a group of states, or it could be an individual. The important thing is that there is a unified position, because otherwise European policy would appear weak. Instead, we must have a strong Europe, and we know full well – whatever the Russians may say – that true peace cannot be achieved unless there is a European decision to lift the sanctions.” Europe’s position “is crucial” and “must have the political strength to decide who represents it. That is the point. We are willing to negotiate and engage in dialogue, but Europe must have a representative capable of speaking with the Americans, the Russians and the Ukrainians. This is the fundamental element, so it is absolutely vital to take this decision. “I hope that progress will be made during this Council meeting as well,” he adds. When asked whether the role could be taken on by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, he replies: “He is an authoritative figure”, “it could be him, it could be someone else; the important thing is that there is one. The problem is that a shared decision must be made, and whoever speaks must do so on behalf of everyone. Italy cannot have representatives who speak in their own name without anyone knowing what is being said. We therefore strongly call for there to be a single representative; let us choose them, let us decide who it should be – it could even be a group of states – let us decide. The important thing is that there is a single voice speaking on behalf of everyone, not one that speaks on behalf of one, two or three, or says things that are one-sided.”
Ukraine, Tajani: ‘Europe needs a common spokesperson; a decision must be taken swiftly’
Brussels, 15 Oct. (LaPresse) – “For Europe to carry more weight, it needs a common spokesperson. The important thing is that this is decided swiftly.” This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the EPP pre-summit in Brussels. “The important thing,” he emphasised, “is that Europe has a spokesperson authorised to negotiate in the name and on behalf of the entire Union. This role could take various forms; it could be a group of states, or it could be an individual. The important thing is that there is a unified position, because otherwise European policy would appear weak. Instead, we must have a strong Europe, and we know full well – whatever the Russians may say – that true peace cannot be achieved unless there is a European decision to lift the sanctions.” Europe’s position “is crucial” and “must have the political strength to decide who represents it. That is the point. We are willing to negotiate and engage in dialogue, but Europe must have a representative capable of speaking with the Americans, the Russians and the Ukrainians. This is the fundamental element, so it is absolutely vital to take this decision. “I hope that progress will be made during this Council meeting as well,” he adds. When asked whether the role could be taken on by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, he replies: “He is an authoritative figure”, “it could be him, it could be someone else; the important thing is that there is one. The problem is that a shared decision must be made, and whoever speaks must do so on behalf of everyone. Italy cannot have representatives who speak in their own name without anyone knowing what is being said. We therefore strongly call for there to be a single representative; let us choose them, let us decide who it should be – it could even be a group of states – let us decide. The important thing is that there is a single voice speaking on behalf of everyone, not one that speaks on behalf of one, two or three, or says things that are one-sided.”