A joint Italy-Holy See initiative for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine, a meeting to talk about and promote peace in the light of the "spirit of Helsinki", in the presence of the Vatican secretary of state, card.
Pietro Parolin and the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.
Topics that will be treated in a conference scheduled for Tuesday 13 December at Palazzo Borromeo, at the headquarters of the Italian embassy to the Holy See.
"The war that broke out in the heart of Europe with Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues unabated with very serious consequences for the population of the attacked country, which faces winter under the bombings, no longer being able to count on so many destroyed infrastructures.If on the one hand it is difficult to see possible ways out, on the other one wonders if and how to resume the path of negotiation to start a process that leads to a just peace .In recent months, both the President of the Italian Republic and Pope Francis have cited the Helsinki International Conference and its principles which contributed to détente in Europe by codifying firm points on the duty to respect the borders of States and to resolve disputes through diplomacy". This was stated in a statement by the Italian embassy to the Holy See announcing a joint Italy-Holy See initiative for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. "The many changes that have taken place since then make it difficult to replicate similar initiatives, but Helsinki remains a a point of reference and a value, starting precisely from the spirit that animated the Conference - explains the note -, to which it is no coincidence that today those seeking solutions for peace refer.To discuss this and question what are the concrete and feasible ways to restore space for dialogue, also bearing in mind the importance of building a new and more just system of international relations, the Embassy of Italy to the Holy See, in collaboration with the geopolitical magazine Limes and the Vatican media (L'Osservatore Romano and Vatican Radio - Vatican News), organizes the meeting "Europe and war. From the spirit of Helsinki to the prospects for peace", which will take place on Tuesday 13 December at Palazzo Borromeo, at the headquarters of the Embassy".in collaboration with the geopolitical review Limes and the Vatican media (L'Osservatore Romano and Vatican Radio - Vatican News), organizes the meeting "Europe and war. From the spirit of Helsinki to the prospects for peace", which will take place on Tuesday 13 December at Palazzo Borromeo, at the headquarters of the Embassy".in collaboration with the geopolitical review Limes and the Vatican media (L'Osservatore Romano and Vatican Radio - Vatican News), organizes the meeting "Europe and war. From the spirit of Helsinki to the prospects for peace", which will take place on Tuesday 13 December at Palazzo Borromeo, at the headquarters of the Embassy".
The presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella is expected.
After the introductory greetings of Francesco Di Nitto, ambassador of Italy to the Holy See, and Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Vatican Media, Matteo Luigi Napolitano, of the University of Molise, will take the floor for a brief historical overview of the Conference of Helsinki.
Cardinal Parolin will then intervene.
The second part of the meeting includes a round table, coordinated by the director of Limes Lucio Caracciolo, which will be attended, among others, by Andrea Riccardi, historian and founder of the Sant'Egidio Community.