Milan, 01/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 30 August, Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs and future High Representative of the EU Federica Mogherini said she wanted the EU to play a decisive role in the crises.
“We are going through a sad and difficult period. There have never been as many crises and conflicts in the EU's neighbourhood. It is crucial for the EU to play a determining role in this scenario”, she said after the informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Milan - a meeting in which Ukraine, the Middle East, Syria, Iraq and Libya were the focus of discussions.
“We discussed how we should deal with long-term issues and instability in the Middle East and Mediterranean. This is a challenge facing the entire European continent, not East and West”, said Mogherini, when questioned on the Mediterranean. She reiterated that these challenges were long-term. “Whole generations are living and growing up in a situation of tension and conflict that we will have to deal with for decades to come”, she said.
In Mogherini's view, the EU strategy should focus on “a prime role for the EU in the Mediterranean and Middle East”. She added that it was also important to involve all the regional actors - including Egypt, the Gulf countries and Iran. “The most important issue is to facilitate the political process which should enable inclusive and democratic cohabitation within the countries and also between the neighbouring countries”, she said. “These are the outlines of the strategy the EU can implement in the coming years to stabilise a region that is fundamental for us”, she concluded (our translation throughout).
Italy, which currently holds the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers, has made the EU's southern neighbourhood a priority. Some Italian politicians would also like a post to be created of European Commissioner for the Mediterranean. (CG)