If the war in Ukraine continues for a long time and the agreement for the export of wheat is skipped, "the lives of millions of people in poverty are at stake. The result would be a crisis in the countries of Central and Sub-Saharan Africa which, together with the war in Sudan, risks activating a very dangerous spiral on the migration front". To raise the alarm on the possible scenario is Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, in an interview with the newspaper Il Messaggero. " For this reason - he adds - I reiterated to the UN that the agreement for a corridor in the Black Sea must remain alive. We also informed Zelensky that, together with Zaporizhzhia, this is one of our main concerns. We trust in the independent mediation of Turkey", whose electoral decisions we "respect".
As for relations with Tunisia, "we will continue to do everything to support it economically - explains Tajani - and we invite European partners to look at the crisis with 'African glasses'. Saied's reforms cannot be made conditional on funding, they must go hand in hand. Italy has already given 10 million euros and another 100 million are on the way".
To curb the migration escalation, Tajani says, "the EU must intervene. We are at an unprecedented juncture with the overlapping of multiple crisis scenarios. We need a European Marshall Plan against climate change. Italy will do its part with the Mattei Plan". Asked if Italy will leave the 'Silk Road', the minister replies: "We are reflecting on whether to renew the memorandum. China is our competitor. We want good relations but the rules must be the same for everyone."