July 8 (Adnkronos/GNA) – Strengthening the unity of the West is in Italy’s national interest and also in the interest of Europe and “our numerous vulnerabilities”, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday in a closing press conference on Wednesday at the Nato summit in Ankara.
“I have a strategy in mind, and that strategy stems from what I believe is in Italy’s national interest. And in my view, the unity and strengthening of Western unity are in the national interest of both Italy and Europe,” Meloni said.
“We in Europe would pay a heavier price than anyone else if, even today, given our numerous vulnerabilities, we were to adopt a diametrically opposed strategy,” Meloni continued.
“So I’m doing what I’ve always done – what I’ve considered essential for Italy’s national interest—and I haven’t changed my mind on this, regardless of how my personal relationships may fluctuate,” Meloni said.
Meloni was responding to a question from a reporter on the barrage of criticism and insults US president Donald Trump has leveled at Meloni in recent months from his Truth Social platform after Italy refused to allow US fighter jets to use its airbases for attacks in the US-Israel war launched against Iran with airstrikes in late February.
“This has always been and will always remain my strategy, simply because it is one dictated by conviction, not expediency,” Meloni added.
“This is not something we invented with the arrival of Donald Trump. So no, I have absolutely no regrets about anything I’ve done,” Meloni underlined.
Meloni, foreign minister Antonio Tajani and defense minister Guido Crosetto attended the two-day NATO summit which focused on strengthening Euro-Atlantic security, the transatlantic defense industry, the military alliance’s contribution to collective deterrence and defense, and its adaptation to new strategic challenges. Ongoing support for Ukraine and key international security issued were also on the summit agenda, especially the Middle East and the crucial Strait of Hormuz oil conduit.
Tajani on Tuesday took part in a ministerial meeting with the partners of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar), whose participation in the Nato summit was strongly supported by Italy, according to the foreign ministry.
GNA/Adnkronos