Minister Shahin Meets Italian Counterpart in Rome
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Shahin, met with Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on the sidelines of the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
Minister Tajani reaffirmed Italy’s support for the two-state solution, stressed the importance of strengthening the Palestinian leadership as the sole partner for dialogue, reiterated Italy’s opposition to the annexation of Palestinian territory, and strongly condemned settler violence in the occupied West Bank. He also reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation, including support for the Palestinian Civil Police, Italy’s humanitarian assistance, scholarships for Palestinian students, and medical treatment for wounded children from Gaza in Italian hospitals.
Minister Shahin briefed her counterpart on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the escalating violence, forced displacement, and settler attacks across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. She stressed that this is the right moment for Italy to recognize the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders as a concrete step toward implementing the two-state solution and advancing a credible political horizon.
She emphasized that traditional approaches have failed to end Israel’s violations and called for concrete accountability measures, including banning settlement products from European markets, holding companies involved in illegal settlements accountable, and ensuring the equal application of international law.
Minister Shahin also underscored the indispensable role of UNRWA as a lifeline for Palestinian refugees and rejected efforts to undermine its mandate.
Addressing the status of wounded Palestinian children evacuated to Italy, Minister Shahin affirmed that they are in Italy under a medical evacuation programme as guests of the Italian Republic, not as refugees or asylum seekers. They remain under the legal jurisdiction of the State of Palestine, with their parents retaining full legal guardianship. Where parents are unable to exercise this responsibility, the Embassy of the State of Palestine serves as the competent legal authority until their return home.
The two ministers agreed to continue working together to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation between the two countries and their peoples.