Italy's goal is to achieve the recognition of Palestine as a state. In addition, Rome is ready to participate in a possible peace-making mission, Italian Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview with La Stampa newspaper.
"Yes, our path leads there, but it will take time, because Palestine must be recognized by Israel, and Israel, in turn, must be recognized. The unilateral initiatives that I have seen so far by individual countries are not serving neither to Palestine, nor to peace," he stated, answering the question about the recognition of Palestine.
Tajani, who left for Israel and Palestine on January 20, spoke about the peacekeeping mission, noting that it is "in the initial stage" but that Italy is "ready to participate with a certain amount of troops."
"More generally, we need a European presence in the Middle East. And in Palestine, Europe can play its role if an agreement acceptable to both sides is reached," said the Italian Foreign Minister.
