Italy was requested to attend the Board of Peace meeting as an observer and felt it was "appropriate" to do so because "we want to be a key player, but as observers, as the European Commission will be". Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani stated this at a press conference following a bilateral meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand. Observer status was chosen “because Article 9 of the Board’s Statute is in conflict with the Constitution". "We are doing this because we have already given so much to Gaza and will continue to do so". "We are among the countries in the world that have supported the most", the minister stated, stressing that "we are ready to help train the new Gaza and Palestinian police forces, and we are willing to increase our Carabinieri force in Rafah". "We have a direct interest in the stability of the Middle East ", he added, "and in building peace".