"I am here to inform you about the desire to continue negotiations for a cooperation, security and defense agreement with Ukraine which the Prime Minister will finalize in the next few days: never before has it been more important to ensure that the person attacked has the means to defend himself. The agreement we are discussing reaffirms the territorial independence of Ukraine and condemns Russian aggression", said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio
Tajani, opening his hearing to the joint Foreign Affairs Committees of the House and Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Senate
.
"The agreement gives a more structured look to our commitment in favor of Kiev".
"I considered it important and urgent to report to you about the negotiations with the Ukrainian authorities to sign a bilateral security cooperation agreement, which the Prime Minister is about to sign. I consider it my duty to inform Parliament of the contents and qualifying aspects of the ongoing discussions, which we expect to be able to bring it to port in the next few days", specified the minister.
"On 24 February, the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, the Prime Minister will chair a virtual meeting of the G7 leaders - the minister said -, in which President Zelensky will also participate. Italy - protagonist in the Union European Union, in NATO and in the G7 - feels a strong responsibility to solemnly mark its clear and firm support for Kiev. We want to live up to the moment. Ukrainian expectations are very strong. In light of the latest dramatic developments on the ground , Kiev has intensified its calls for unity among its allies."
"Our agreement - like those stipulated by France, Germany and the United Kingdom - will not be legally binding.
No obligations under international law derive from the text, nor financial commitments. There are no automatic guarantees of political or military support. Like that of the our partners, our bilateral agreement will therefore not require the parliamentary ratification procedure".
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