“The question of how we will treat the autocracies it will define our ability to shape our common future for many years to come.” The outgoing prime minister said on Monday evening, Mario Draghi, in the speech delivered during the gala evening at New York of the "Appeal of Conscience Foundation”, which – by the hand of Henry Kissinger – awarded him the statesman of the year award.
“The solution lies in a combination of frankness, consistency and commitment – he continued Draghi – We must be clear and explicit about the founding values of our societies. I am referring to our faith in democracy and the rule of law, our respect for human rights, our commitment to global solidarity".
“Avoiding ambiguity”
These ideals, said the premier, “should guide our foreign policy in a clear and predictable way. When we draw a red line, we have to enforce it. When we make a commitment, we must honor it. Autocracies thrive on our hesitation. We should avoid ambiguity, so as not to regret it later. In the end, we must be willing to cooperateas long as that doesn't mean compromising our core principles."
The UN assembly
This week, the premier recalled, is the 77th General Assembly of the United Nations. "I hope there will be a future when Russia decides to go back to the same norms it subscribed to in 1945."
“The importance of the dialogue that we are celebrating tonight – concluded Draghi – has been at the center of my professional life as an economist and as a political decision maker. The value of a successful partnership between multilateral bodies and local institutions was one of the main lessons I learned working at the World Bank in the 80s”.
US compliments to Draghi
Joe Biden had honeyed words for the Italian premier: “I congratulate you with my friend, prime minister Mario Draghi, for his work advancing human rights around the globe. Draghi he has been a powerful voice in promoting tolerance and justice and I thank him for his leadership.” And also the president and CEO of Blackstone Group, Stephen schwarzman, assures that Draghi "inspired a renewed global trust in Italy".
