(Adnkronos) – United States military bases in Italy can be used for “logistics and operations that do not involve bombing,” under bilateral accords that date back to the 1950s, foreign minister Antonio Tajani stated on Thursday, underlining that the government’s stance on the issue is “very clear”.
“The Italian government’s position on the use of American bases in Italy is very clear,” Tajani said at question time in the Senate upper house of parliament.
“It is based on existing bilateral agreements between Italy and the US signed in 1954 and which have always been respected by governments of all political stripes,” Tajani continued.
Italy and all European partners are respecting “these same agreements”, Tajani noted.
“The (bilateral) accords provide for technical authorisations when it comes to logistics and operations that do not involve bombing,” he said.
Any decision on the use of the of US bases in Italy “for other activities” will be the government’s and would be shared with parliament, Tajani underscored.
“I repeat that to date no such request has been received and I reiterate the position outlined yesterday by the prime minister (Giorgia Meloni),” said Tajani.
Meloni on Wednesday joined a growing European backlash against the US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began in late February, sparking a widening regional conflict and energy crisis.
In remarks to lawmakers, Meloni recognised the threat Iran posed to regional security but said the warfare unfolding in the Middle East was part of a growing trend of interventions “outside the scope of international law” in a striking change of tone from a European leader who has built a reputation as one of the US’s most reliable allies.
