«For the EU, our role is strategic. With Tunis you need to be pragmatic»- Corriere.it

ROME – Being portrayed as the brother-in-law of Italy doesn’t please him, yet Francesco Lollobrigida he jokes about it: I hope they don’t stop – begins the Minister of Agriculture – I want to remain a brother-in-law for a long time and I say this for my wife Arianna, more than for Giorgia.

President Saied said that Tunisia will not guard the border. The mission of Meloni and Von der Leyen did not go as the premier hoped?
I do not think so. Today Europe passes through Italy to negotiate with Africa and Africa passes through Italy to negotiate with Europe. In eight months, the government has resumed a strategic role in the Mediterranean, which is recognized by Europe. The mission of Von der Leyen and Rutte, mediated by Meloni, assigns Italy a central role in European dynamics. The meeting went very well.

Advantages for Italy?

With the agreement between the EU and Tunisia, the North African nation can finally see some prospects. The Union trusts Tunisia and guarantees an investment plan. a bilateral relationship that allows both to take advantage of it, for Tunisia development and for us a brake on illegal immigration.

The funds allocated by the EU are scarce and, with the summer, there are fears of a new boom in landings. Wasn’t it an interlocutory summit?

No, the Italian government managed to involve the EU Commission, which is now working on the immigration issue with a harmony we haven’t seen for a decade.

Meanwhile, Saied tramples democracy, represses migrants, arrests opponents.

You have to be pragmatic. We have a duty to dialogue with recognized governments and an opinion shared by the highest EU summit. It must be noted that African countries trust Italy and Giorgia Meloni.

She fears ethnic replacement and Saied talks about a criminal plan to change the demographic composition of Tunisia. Correct similarity?

No, in these hours Europe went to Tunis, not Giorgia Meloni. Does anyone question Ursula? We are certain that Von der Leyen will also bring the issue of rights back within the EU assembly, but now we have an emergency that affects all the states that consider saving human lives a priority.

The mission to Tunis also took place without contact with journalists. Is the premier afraid of questions?

I think Giorgia is giving many answers in practice, with transparency and without escaping the comparison.

Do we need a new flows decree, as Lupi proposes?
The government has begun planning three-year flow decrees to respond, with regular immigrants, to the needs of companies. I met with the Bangladesh ambassador to agree on a table, the plan to train a flow of immigrants at home who will come to work in Italy. On the other hand, we have asked Bangladesh to facilitate the repatriation of those who commit crimes or choose illegal immigration.

Who is wrong who fears an authoritarian turn of the government?
The contrast with what actually happens is noticeable. The harmony with Von der Leyen and Biden is evident, yet in Italy there is discussion of hypothetical limitation of rights that do not result in any law, in any action.

Limit the powers of the Court of Auditors, weaken Parliament, remove the patronage of Gay Pride…

A demonstration was held quietly with thousands of people, very harsh on the government. All the democratic dynamics take place in a serene way. The theme exists only in the communication of a few political forces without arguments, who try to exacerbate the climate. We don’t lend ourselves to mud wrestling.

How does he respond to Prodi, who accuses the government of using the Mes to blackmail the EU on the stability pact?

I believe it is legitimate to await the redefinition of the Stability Pact, reasoning in a package logic. Professor Prodi is not an example of successful negotiations for Italy.

Will the Europeans bring more tensions with Salvini?

The League is part of a government in Italy with popular and conservatives, while in Europe there are forces that are not compatible with this model. But it’s too early to imagine what will happen in 2024.

The flood also devastated Romagna on an agricultural level. Why don’t you like Bonaccini as reconstruction commissioner?

When we talk about reconstruction in a second phase, we will discuss the most suitable figure, but it is said that the commissioner must be the president of the Region. Do you want a striking example? After the earthquake in L’Aquila, Legnini was appointed, who had been defeated a few months earlier in the elections for the presidency of Abruzzo.

You will be in New York on June 24th, with what objective?

After the missions to Great Britain, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, Serbia and Albania, this week he will be in Sweden, at the G20 in India and then in New York, to promote agro-food products and Italian cuisine. We are also working a lot with Africa
, starting with Algeria. The continent has 60% of the planet’s arable land, but not the knowledge to make it productive.

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