Giorgia Meloni opened her address at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York by describing a world on the edge «between war and peace». Quoting Pope Francis, the Prime Minister spoke of a «third world war fought in pieces», emphasizing that the number of armed conflicts is at a historic high.

«According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, there are currently 56 conflicts underway around the world, the highest number since World War II».

This, Meloni said, demonstrates the failure of the UN’s founding mission in 1945: to guarantee peace. «Have we succeeded? The answer lies in today’s headlines, and it is merciless. Peace, dialogue, and diplomacy are no longer convincing or prevailing».

Among the most serious crises, Meloni singled out Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, denouncing an unprecedented violation of international rules by a permanent member of the Security Council.

«The Russian Federation has deliberately trampled on Article 2 of the UN Charter, violating the integrity and political independence of another sovereign state with the intention of annexing its territory».

The Prime Minister then criticized the Kremlin’s ongoing unwillingness to engage in negotiations: «Even today, Moscow refuses to seriously consider any invitation to sit at the peace table. This deep wound inflicted on international law has triggered destabilizing effects far beyond Kyiv’s borders».

A significant portion of Meloni’s speech was dedicated to the conflict in the Middle East, which she linked to the broader context of global instability worsened by the war in Ukraine. She described Israel’s initial response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks as «legitimate», but strongly condemned the ongoing military operation in Gaza.

«The ferocity and brutality of that attack, the hunt for defenseless civilians, pushed Israel to react—initially in a legitimate way, as every state has the right to defend itself. But the response to aggression must always respect the principle of proportionality. Israel has crossed that line, violating humanitarian norms and causing a massacre of civilians».

For this reason, Italy will vote in favor of certain European sanctions against Israel.

Meloni reiterated that primary responsibility lies with Hamas, which must immediately release all hostages:

«We do not join those who place all the blame for what is happening in Gaza on Israel. It is Hamas that unleashed the war, and it is Hamas that could end the suffering of the Palestinians by freeing the hostages right now. Instead, it seems to thrive on the suffering of the very people it claims to represent».

Regarding the region’s future, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Italy’s long-standing position in favor of a two-state solution: «Israel does not have the right to prevent the future establishment of a Palestinian state, nor to build new settlements in the West Bank to block it».

However, she set two preconditions for international recognition of Palestine: «The release of all Israeli hostages and Hamas’s renunciation of any role in the Palestinian government. Those who sparked the conflict cannot be rewarded».

Meloni urged Israel to «break free from the trap of this war» and expressed support for proposals put forward by the U.S. President together with Arab countries for a permanent ceasefire.

«Peace is not built with mere appeals or ideological proclamations, but with patience, courage, and reasonableness. Italy is ready and will remain ready to support anyone willing to work on a serious plan for the release of hostages, an end to hostilities, the exclusion of Hamas, and a concrete prospect of two states living side by side in peace and security».

Turning to institutional matters, Meloni called for a profound reform of the United Nations, describing the current international structure as «frozen eighty years ago».

«Multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy are empty words without institutions that function as they should».

The goal, she explained, must be to make the UN more agile and transparent: «The Glass Palace must truly be a house of glass, able to respond quickly to crises, cut waste and duplication, and ensure transparency in costs and mission».

The Prime Minister then addressed the issue of migration and asylum rights, stressing the need to update international rules to meet today’s challenges.

«The current conventions were written at a time when mass irregular migration and human trafficking did not exist».

She said, criticizing the «ideological and one-sided» interpretations of «politicized judiciaries». The aim, she clarified, is not to lower protections but rather «to build a system in step with the times, capable of safeguarding fundamental human rights alongside every nation’s sacred right to defend its borders and manage migration flows».

In the final part of her speech, Meloni sharply criticized what she called «unsustainable environmentalism», accusing Western «green plans» of leading «to deindustrialization long before decarbonization».

«Thirty years of blind globalization have ended, and today we see the consequences: unsustainable production models imposed from above, entire productive sectors in crisis, impoverished middle classes, and irrational consumer choices. This is not about denying climate change, but about affirming technological neutrality and gradual reforms, placing humanity at the center».

Meloni concluded by invoking Saint Francis, noting that this year also marks the 70th anniversary of Italy’s entry into the United Nations: «The toughest battles are reserved only for those with exemplary courage», she quoted, urging the international community to show that courage to build «a more just and secure world». It was, she said, an appeal not to waste the historic opportunity presented by today’s global challenges.

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In a move set to reshape Italy’s migration policy, the government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced the suspension of all asylum requests from Syria. The decision, formalized in a statement from Palazzo Chigi, follows the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the ensuing political chaos in the country. This measure aligns Italy with other European governments, including Germany, Sweden, the UK, and Austria, which have implemented similar actions. The stated aim is to ensure national security and support a peaceful and inclusive transition for the Syrian people.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting held after the Council of Ministers, attended by key government figures such as Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, and intelligence officials. “At a time when fighting continues in parts of Syria,” the government stated, “the priority is to safeguard civilian lives and protect minorities, including Christians.” However, this policy leaves thousands of asylum seekers in a bureaucratic limbo, raising concerns about their immediate future.

The Syrian crisis, worsened by Assad’s fall, is a litmus test for Europe as it struggles to balance welcoming refugees with addressing internal security concerns. Foreign Minister Tajani recently highlighted the risk of a humanitarian crisis and a potential migration collapse, which could have global repercussions. Despite suspending asylum applications, Italy will maintain its embassy in Damascus and continue monitoring the situation in collaboration with international and regional partners.

Domestic political reactions have been swift. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini expressed strong support for the measure, calling it “necessary” to ensure border control. He also suggested temporarily suspending the Schengen Agreement to strengthen checks at Italy’s borders. These remarks have sparked questions about the potential impact of such actions on European relations and the overall management of migration. How Italy translates this policy into concrete actions and the duration of the asylum suspension remain key uncertainties as Syria continues to be a hotspot of political and social instability.

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The Italian naval vessel Libra resumed operations on Monday to transfer rescued migrants from Italy to Albania under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior. This latest group, intercepted off the coast of Lampedusa, is expected to be moved to the Albanian centers of Shengjin and Gjader as part of an agreement between Italy and Albania. This marks the second transfer under Prime Minister Meloni’s new migration management system, yet uncertainty looms over these relocations following recent rulings from Italian and European courts.

Details regarding the timing of the Libra’s departure and the exact number of migrants on board remain unclear. Sources, including Il Messaggero, report between 6 and 12 migrants, with the possibility of additional arrivals to reach a target of 30-40 individuals. Preliminary reports indicate that those on board are Egyptian nationals, though official confirmation is lacking. Initial checks are underway to determine whether these individuals meet the requirements for relocation to the Albanian centers.

The Italy-Albania agreement specifies that only adult male migrants, considered “non-vulnerable” and originating from “safe countries,” are eligible for transfer to the Albanian facilities. However, the Italian government’s designation of “safe countries” under a recent decree has drawn criticism from international organizations. The list includes countries like Egypt, Bangladesh, and Tunisia, which Italy deems secure but are not universally recognized as such by international standards.

The issue has become more complex following a ruling by the European Court of Justice, which stipulated that a country can only be considered safe if it ensures security for all individuals across its entire territory. This decision has already influenced Italian court rulings, blocking the detention of migrants from countries on Italy’s “safe list” that do not meet EU-defined safety criteria.

In light of this decision, the Rome court recently blocked the detention of Egyptian and Bangladeshi migrants previously transferred to Albania. More recently, the Catania court rejected the detention of an Egyptian migrant, further complicating Italy’s plan to manage migration flows through Albanian facilities. The Catania ruling has significant political implications, raising new questions about the legal viability of Albania’s detention centers and the future of Italy’s migration management policy.

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With Donald Trump’s election as the 47th President of the United States, reactions from Italian political leaders quickly followed. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was one of the first to congratulate Trump, emphasizing the longstanding ties between Italy and the United States, which she called “sister nations” united by an unbreakable alliance and shared values. In her social media message, Meloni reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening this strategic relationship, wishing the president-elect success in his new term.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also welcomed Trump’s victory, noting his longstanding support for the former president. In an interview with RTL 102.5, Salvini underscored the importance of Trump’s leadership for a possible new international balance, expressing hope that this could lead to peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts, such as the war between Russia and Ukraine. Salvini also praised Trump’s focus on patriotism, border control, and freedom of speech, values that the deputy prime minister sees as essential.

From the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani took a measured approach to Trump’s victory, highlighting Italy’s desire to maintain strong transatlantic relations. Speaking to Sky, Tajani stated that the Italian government’s priority remains the reinforcement of ties with the United States, which it considers its primary foreign policy partner. Tajani added that the government would be prepared to discuss issues like NATO and European defense to ensure that Italy continues to be a pillar of international security.

On the opposition side, Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte welcomed the news with a congratulatory message to the president-elect, while urging reflection on the global challenges that await the U.S. and the world. Conte emphasized the need to halt conflicts and build a new world order based on shared rules, advocating for a more courageous and proactive Europe. Matteo Renzi, leader of Italia Viva, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Europe should “wake up” in the face of this new reality.

Meanwhile, Riccardo Magi, leader of the More Europe party, expressed concerns about a second Trump presidency. Magi voiced doubts about the impact of Trump’s administration on civil rights, minority protections, and the environment, warning that Europe risks being left alone to confront global challenges, from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the climate crisis.

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