By Silvia Marchetti
ROME (MaceNews) – Italy’s government is pushing for an enhanced new alliance between the European Union and NATO and is adopting a tougher stance towards Russia and China, said ruling coalitions sources.
“We’ve made it clear from the start that a less ambiguous and soft approach is needed in Europe on thorny issues linking Russia and China, from human rights to freedom of speech and above all, cyber espionage and attacks”, said an official.
Italy is set to play a key role in forging new EU-NATO ties thanks to the credibility of its premier, former European Central bank chief Mario Draghi, able to take on European leadership in the dialogue with the US.
Draghi has openly stated the need to recover and relaunch transatlantic ties, which will be discussed on Monday in Brussels during a key NATO summit expected to outline proposals for a new strategy dubbed NATO 2030, set to reinforce cooperation between the two sides of the Atlantic to tackle future challenges, ranging from economic measures to green policies and common cyber defense.
Sources argued how Draghi has finally put an end to Italy’s wobbly stance towards China and Russia. “Past governments, from Berlusconi’s many cabinets to the League and 5 Stars coalition, have always been quite friendly towards Moscow and Beijing, shedding doubts on Italy’s Atlanticism. Italy is no longer Europe’s underbelly when it comes to these two countries”.
Since his rise to power Draghi has already twice blocked Chinese investments in key Italian technology and communications firms, deploying the so-called ‘golden power’ rule allowing the government to prohibit strategic acquisitions that could jeopardize national security, thereby sending out a clear message on where Italy stands on the global stage, said another official.
“It was more than just a economic, strategic move to defend national interests, it was a concrete action of foreign policy”.
Draghi has also the credibility to lead Europe in its renewed dialogue with the US after Donald Trump’s “hiatus era” through a clear, pro-NATO stance.
“German chancellor Angela Merkel’s time is almost over, and her optimistic approach towards China, hoping that Beijing would eventually open up to democracy through more free market, has gone nowhere. While French president Emmanuel Macron is too weak to take on European leadership, so that leaves Draghi, who has already demonstrated that Italy is eager to fall into line with the Biden administration”, said a source.
Ahead of Monday’s NATO summit Draghi had a prepraratory phone conversation with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg to discuss NATO 2030 targets and the cooperation with the EU.
In a timely fashion, on Thursday evening Rome’s government cleared a decree aimed at creating a ‘super committee’ on cyber safety under the joint control of the prime minister and national defense authorities, including secret intelligence service.
“It is a first for Italy, a historic milestone. NATO cooperation in key areas such as cyber security will be ever more important in coming years, we need to stand united and be equipped with the right tools to jointly fight tech espionage and cyber attacks”, said a source.
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Contact this reporter: silvia@macenews.com.
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