Italy’s foreign minister, US secretary of state discuss situation in Red Sea, Gaza
Attack by Yemen’s Houthis on Greek oil tanker Sounion raises concerns over environmental risks, highlighting need to enhance safety of Red Sea navigation, says Antonio Tajani
ROME/ANKARA
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed developments in the Red Sea and Gaza in a phone call, Italy’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
“The recent attack by the Houthis on the Greek oil tanker Sounion is a matter of grave concern due to the concrete risks of environmental disaster and reaffirms the need to further intensify efforts to guarantee the safety of navigation in the Red Sea,” the statement said.
Tajani reiterated “Italy's continued commitment to the Aspides mission (of the European Union for the safety of navigation in the Red Sea) and that we will consider its strengthening,” it noted.
He expressed Rome's full support for the mediation efforts led by the US to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza and to prevent the risk of the conflict expanding in the region, noting that coordination with Washington is important as a strategy to reduce tensions in the region and stop the spiral of violence.
The two also discussed developments in the Russia-Ukraine war and noted that the next G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting will be held on Sept. 23 in New York at the opening of the UN General Assembly.
The statement added that they agreed on the need to continue dialogue with China, to consider joint initiatives to support the central bank's essential role in Libya and to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Long and friendly conversation with @SecBlinken,” Tajani said on X.
“We shared assessments of the crises at #Gaza and in #MarRosso (Red Sea),” he noted, adding: “Rome and Washington are united in calling for moderation from all regional actors.”
“Avoid at all costs a further escalation to bring peace to the Middle East,” he added.
