Nicosia: Italy and the rest of the European Union (EU) countries are working to “strengthen the path to peace” in war-wracked Ukraine and the conflict-hit Middle East, where they are striving to help efforts on a deal for the “immediate reopening” of the Strait of Hormuz and freedom of navigation in the crucial waterway, Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, wrote on X Thursday.
“#Limassol #Cyprus European Union foreign ministers (informal) meeting to strengthen the path to peace both in Ukraine and in the Middle East,” read the post.
“We are working to contribute to an agreement for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to guarantee freedom of navigation and international trade,” the post continued.
“Strategic partners such as India @DrSJaishankar and Saudi Arabia @FaisalbinFarhan are also joining us,” the post went on, referring to Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan, Adnkronos news agency reported.
“With them, also through IMEC (The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), we increase Italian exports, fostering economic growth and jobs,” the post concluded.
The Middle East and the Gulf, its global impact and its military and economic implications, as well as joint solutions in support of the negotiating process to end the 12-week-old war between the US and Iran, and “the full restoration of freedom of navigation” through the Strait of Hormuz were the focus of Thursday’s meeting, according to a statement released by the Italian foreign ministry.
Thursday’s so-called ‘Gymnich’ meeting “will offer an opportunity” to review Israel’s war on pro-Iran militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon and the situation in the (occupied) Palestinian territories (Gaza and the West Bank,” the statement added.
Partners, including the EU and the United States, signed an accord in 2023 for the IMEC project to develop trade routes connecting India to the Arabian Gulf and the Arabian Gulf with Europe via ship and rail.
Announced on the sidelines of the 2023 G20 Summit in India, the ambitious IMEC project was seen as a rival to China’s Belt and Road global infrastructure plan, but it faces delays due to major geopolitical and financial obstacles.
At talks in Rome last week, Italy’s premier Giorgia Meloni and India’s counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused heavily on advancing and accelerating IMEC as part of moves to boost bilateral cooperation and reinforce diplomatic and trade ties, elevating the relationship between the two countries to that of a special strategic partnership.
(IANS)
