Tajani defends Italy joining Board of Peace, says observers like EC

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 16 - Foreign MInister Antonio Tajani on Monday defended the government's decision to join United States President Donald Trump's Board of Peace stressing that Italy will just have observer status like the European Commission because the board's constitution clashes with the Italian one. Italy was invited to participate in the Board of Peace as an observer, he said during a press conference following a bilateral meeting with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand., and deemed it "appropriate" to participate because "we want to be a protagonist, but as observers, as the European Commission will be." The observer status was chosen, he explained, "because Article 9 of the Board's Statute conflicts with the Constitution," which states that Rome can only take part in supranational bodies on a par with the other members. "We are doing this because we have already given a lot for Gaza and will continue to do so. We are among the countries in the world that have given the most," the minister said, explaining that "we are ready to train the new Gaza and Palestinian police, and we are ready to increase our Carabinieri in Rafah. "We have a direct interest in the stability of the Middle East," he added, "and in building peace." Trump's board is aimed at initially cementing peace and reconstruction in Gaza and then achieving peace in all other conflicts around the world. Critics have said the American president is trying to supplant the role of the United Nations. (ANSA). Read article...