Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, met yesterday at the Farnesina with representatives from the League of Arab States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to discuss recent developments in the Middle East crisis. The focal point of Deputy Prime Minister Tajani's address - reads a note from the Foreign Ministry - revolved around the Italian Government's aspiration for stability and dialogue in the Middle East region, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the condemnation of any retaliatory or aggressive actions that might precipitate a significant escalation in the area—to the detriment of the political, economic, and commercial interests of all participating nations—in light of Iran's recent drone and missile assault on Israel. Tajani, recalling a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian on April 12, described the attack as an assault that "raises grave concerns in the midst of a highly escalating situation, wherein any additional hostile action could potentially instigate a more extensive conflict that may affect the entire region". In this climate of extraordinary fragility, Tajani stated, "Italy is making every effort to call on all regional actors to exercise restraint, including its role as G7 Presidency". Minister Tajani emphasized the need of communication and cooperation in promoting regional peace and stability.
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