22.10.2025 23:57
Speaking about the ceasefire in Gaza, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Hamas must accept that it will have no role in the transitional government and the State of Palestine and argued that it needs to be disarmed. She said, "These are also the necessary preconditions for Italy to recognize the State of Palestine. The government is ready to act when these conditions are met."
```html
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addressed the upper house of Parliament, the Senate, regarding international issues on the agenda and her government's stance ahead of the EU Leaders' Summit to be held in Brussels, Belgium, on October 23-24.
"WE ARE GRATEFUL TO EGYPT, QATAR, AND TURKEY"
Meloni stated that the EU Leaders' Summit would take place at a highly complex international crossroads, emphasizing that her government, which has completed its third year today, represents a rare stability for both Italy and the EU.
Meloni noted that the 20-point plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump and signed in Sharm el-Sheikh represents a positive development for the region, saying, "We are deeply grateful to all the mediators for the diplomatic efforts that made this important step possible. I am talking about the governments of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, but especially about U.S. President Donald Trump, who has expended extraordinary energy to achieve undeniable success." she said.
CLAIMED "HAMAS VIOLATED THE CEASEFIRE"
Meloni expressed that after a long time, they are facing a reliable possibility for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, but also noted that the situation is fragile, claiming that Hamas has violated the ceasefire while stating that they do not agree with Israel's retaliation that led to civilian casualties.
Sharing that Italy has sent over 200 tons of aid through the "Food for Gaza" campaign launched in March 2024 and treated 196 Gazans in Italy, Meloni said, "We are ready to provide training to the Palestinian police with our gendarmerie (Carabinieri) stationed in Jericho for years and to the EU mission in Rafah, which we are prepared to increase in number. I will also tell this to President Abbas (President of the State of Palestine) when I meet him in Rome at the beginning of November." she stated.
OUTLINED CONDITIONS FOR RECOGNIZING THE STATE OF PALESTINE
Meloni argued that for achieving the goal in the plan, Hamas must accept that it will have no role in the transitional government and the State of Palestine and must be disarmed, stating, "These are also the necessary preconditions for Italy to recognize the State of Palestine, as specified by this parliament. The government is ready to act when these conditions are met. Italy calls on all parties to respect the terms of the plan and to seize the opportunity presented by this light of peace. Of course, Italy is ready to do its part." she said.
Emphasizing that they are against illegal Israeli settlers, Meloni stated, "We condemn the plans to expand Israeli settlements and find the violent statements of some Israeli officials unacceptable. Therefore, we are ready to support individual restrictive measures from Europe against them." she expressed.
ITALY'S SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE IS COMPLETE BUT DOES NOT PLAN TO SEND TROOPS
Prime Minister Meloni indicated that Italy's position in the Russia-Ukraine War has not changed, stating, "Our stance has not changed, nor can it change in the face of images of homes systematically bombed for 4 years and civilians resisting this. Our support for Ukraine will continue until a just and lasting peace is achieved." she stated.
Meloni noted that a fair solution must be the product of a reliable negotiation process, stating, "In this process, no decision about Ukraine can be made without Ukraine, and no decision about European security can be made without Europe. Ensuring Ukraine's defense is in the interest of all Europe, because if the invasion of a European nation is allowed, no one will truly feel safe against external attacks." she assessed.
Prime Minister Meloni reiterated that Italy does not plan to send troops to Ukrainian territory. Meloni also addressed the issue of using seized Russian assets to support Kyiv, stating, "In this regard, we believe that respect for international law, the principle of legitimacy, the preservation of financial stability, and ensuring the sustainability of every step taken must be upheld, and we are not alone in this." she stated.
THE SOUTHERN FLANK OF THE EU AND NATO MUST NOT BE OVERLOOKED
Meloni expressed that the recent violations of European airspace have once again demonstrated how current and necessary it is to strengthen Europe's preparedness capacity against potential threats, stating that they will discuss this issue at the EU Leaders' Summit.
Stating that projects related to European defense should be for the security of all EU countries, Meloni said, "We all know and support the necessity of protecting the eastern flank of Europe and NATO, but we cannot allow the southern flank of the EU to be overlooked." she concluded.
```