Decoding the news. Meloni’s dual approach reflects Rome’s intention to combine security, cooperation, and protection of minorities.
- This line also emerged in the side activities carried out by other members of the Italian government present in New York.
- Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Tripodi held talks with Massad Boulos, senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump on Mediterranean dossiers such as Libya.
- Boulos, who recently visited Italy to meet leaders of both rival factions in Cyrenaica and Tripolitania, outlined the (shared) interests and priorities of Libyan stabilisation with Tripodi.
- Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani attended several meetings (from G7 counterparts to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty) and strategic events (such as the meeting of the European Council for Africa and the Middle East).
With Qatar: Gaza and hostages. Meloni reiterated solidarity with Doha after violating Qatari sovereignty on September 9.
- Support for the mediation role of Qatar, the United States, and Egypt to:
- end the conflict in Gaza;
- secure the release of hostages;
- ensure humanitarian access to civilians.
- On Rome’s table, a parliamentary motion from the governing majority on recognising Palestine, but conditional on two requirements: the release of hostages by Hamas and its exclusion from any form of government in Gaza.
- Today, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto authorised the deployment of the Italian Navy’s frigate ITS Virginio Fasan (F591) for a possible rescue operation in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attacked in recent hours south of Crete.
With Syria: reconstruction and inclusion. Palazzo Chigi said the meeting was “an opportunity to confirm Italy’s support for the reconstruction of a stable and sovereign Syria, including through investments by Italian companies in multiple sectors of mutual interest.”
- Focus on social inclusion and protection of minorities, particularly the Christian community, through cooperation and humanitarian programs already underway.
- Reiterated the need for a voluntary and safe return of refugees.
The big picture: The UN General Assembly is also an opportunity for Italy to carve out space between ongoing crises and long-term scenarios. Meloni uses bilateral meetings in New York to emphasise Rome’s central role in Mediterranean dynamics.
What we’re watching: Additional bilaterals are expected with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Lebanese President Michel Aoun.
