Tajani: "25 thousand Italians have already returned. We stand by Europe to defend the borders from potential attacks"

"As of today, approximately 25,000 Italians have returned. Between last night and today, another 5,000 have returned or are in flight to return from various places not only the Emirates, not only Saudi Arabia, not only Oman but also Israel, the Maldives, Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka." This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani to reporters at the Farnesina, affirming that "there is a significant improvement compared to yesterday and the day before regarding our fellow citizens."

"I spoke with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, today there was an important Arab League meeting on the situation, I reiterated Italy's support for all diplomatic initiatives that can lead to a de-escalation of tension, a de-escalation, and an acceleration of the timeline for a conclusion of the war," he added. "We hope it can be concluded as soon as possible, although it does not seem to me that any of the involved countries have the intention to conclude in a very rapid timeframe," he further stated. "We must continue to work, and as Europeans, this unity is important, this choice by Italy to work together with Europeans from day one with the document from last Sunday by the 27, with the constant talks we have, and with the meeting that Prime Minister Meloni wanted with Macron, Merz, and Starmer to reaffirm that Europe must act together to protect the borders of the EU and the island of Cyprus from any further attacks, so much so that it has been decided to send the frigate Martinengo towards Cyprus just as other EU countries have done," he emphasized.

"I spoke at length this morning with Rafael Grossi, who confirmed to me that Iran continues to work on the development of nuclear weapons. All the enriched uranium that was there before the attack a few months ago is still present. There are no sensors from the United Nations agency, but the situation remains very concerning for him as well."

"We have no confirmation of the Emirati attack on Iran. Our embassy has also received negative responses from the Emirati authorities. The situation is complicated in itself; for now, none of the attacked countries have reacted," the Minister of Foreign Affairs clarified finally.

To those who asked him about the latest statements from Trump regarding the great friendship with Prime Minister Meloni and her willingness to always help (resulting in a reaction from the Pd), Tajani replied: "The opposition is doing its part. It seems to me that at this moment there is nothing to clarify. It was a more political statement; not everything that is being done, has been done, and will be done has been said in Parliament, so there is nothing else for me to add".