ROMA (ITALPRESS) – “The support of the International Criminal Court is a central priority of our foreign policy, it is a constant and transversal commitment that arises from the lesson of the horrors of the twentieth century and the will to prevent such authorities from repeating themselves. It was the Berlusconi Government, in 1994, to propose Rome as the seat of the Conference that would adopt the Statute of the Court four years later, and the Parliament authorised its ratification unanimously.” Antonio Tajani, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, said this during Question Time at the Chamber.
“Today, in the face of increasing violations of international and humanitarian law, defending international criminal justice is even more important – he continued -. This is why it is essential to ensure the full functioning of the Court, protecting its independence, impartiality and effectiveness. We welcomed Washington’s announcement of sanctions with regret and concern. We are aware of the effects that such measures may have for the operation of the Court. Immediately after the announcement, I wanted – together with the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Japan and Canada – to share an important political statement that expresses firm condemnation for the measures envisaged. I want to reiterate this in this Chamber too: Italy supports The Hague”.
“We are on the front line, also in Europe, in defense of the mandate and operation of the Court: on 10 October last we adopted a declaration of the European Union which calls on the United States to immediately revoke sanctions, a position reiterated by the European Council last week. Now it is necessary to translate this commitment into concrete results – Tajani said –. The postponement of six months of the effectiveness of part of US measures opens, in fact, an important space for dialogue. We want to take this opportunity, we are already working together with our partners to overcome differences and get the revocation of sanctions. It is a perspective shared by our partners and the European Commission; a coordinated position is essential for the Union to play its role effectively. For this reason, we will continue to actively participate in the debate in European offices to define common positions and identify the most suitable tools to ensure the widest possible protection to the Court.”
“The Government will continue to work, in close agreement with our European partners, so that the Court may continue in the full exercise of its mandate, so that defending the independence of the Court means countering impunity and strengthening the respect of international law,” the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister concluded.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
