" We did not hesitate for a single minute in supporting Israel's right to self-defense after the horror of October 7th , but at the same time we cannot remain silent now in the face of a reaction that has gone beyond the principle of proportionality, claiming too many innocent victims and even involving Christian communities." These were Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's words from the stage at the Rimini Meeting, where today she called for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages from Hamas.
The Prime Minister was welcomed by the President of the Meeting Foundation, Scholz, the Mayor of Rimini, Jamil Sadegholvaad , and the Prefect, Giuseppina Cassone . Upon her entrance, applause from the audience erupted, with some shouting "Long Live Giorgia!"
"The field in which we have demonstrated our commitment in these nearly three years of leading the nation is not the field of ideologies, it is not the field of utopias, it is not the field of those who believe it is possible to shape reality based on their own convictions," Meloni asserted. "The field we have chosen is the field of reality. This is the field in which we intend to play, infusing our decisions with the humanity and concreteness that only those who remain connected to the real world can demonstrate."
The Prime Minister's words then touched on the European Union , "increasingly condemned to geopolitical irrelevance , incapable of effectively responding to the competitiveness challenges posed by China and the United States, as Mario Draghi rightly pointed out from this stage ." Many of the criticisms that emerged in Rimini, she added, "I share so much that I myself have often formulated them over the years, so much so that I have been harshly criticized even by those who are clamoring for them today." Among the issues addressed was the conflict between Russia and Ukraine: "Finally, after three and a half years in which Russia has given no sign of dialogue and has simply demanded Kiev's capitulation, a glimmer of hope has opened up for a path to negotiation. These glimmers were certainly made possible by an initiative by the President of the United States, but even more so by the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people and the united support that the West, Europe, and Italy have guaranteed, despite a public opinion that has not always been convinced."
The mission reiterated today from the stage in Rimini was also clear: "Italy must reclaim its rightful place in the world. Strong, proud, forthright, loyal—in a word, authoritative. Today I am proud that Italy is seen this way internationally: no longer the sick man of Europe, but a model of stability and serious governance. International investors consider us a safe nation, so much so that interest rates on our debt are now in line with those of France. EU institutions certify that Italy is first in Europe in implementing the NRRP, and the international press often considers us a positive anomaly."
(Unioneonline)
