THEItaly approves three international missions. The Aspides mission in the Red Sea it obtained broad bipartisan consensus both in the House (with 271 votes in favor and only six against) and in the Senate. A sign of unity that involved most of the political forces, including the Movement 5 Stars. The only ones to vote against were the deputies of the Greens-Left Alliance. Subsequently, the measure was examined by the Senate, where there was a large majority on Italy's participation in the missions. The government, with the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, expressed a favorable opinion on 5 of the 6 resolutions presented in the Chamber, with the only exception of the proposal of the Alleanza Verdi Sinistra which was rejected.
The Montecitorio Chamber also gave the green light to the Italian mission "Get the Funds!”, which commits the Government to actively support diplomatic action to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid. This will include the opening of maritime corridors to ports in the Gaza Strip. All elements of the proposals relating to this mission were put to a vote and were approved unanimously.
In addition, the Chamber approved almost unanimously the participation of judiciary personnel in the European Union civilian mission in Ukraine, known as EuamUkraine (European Union Advisory Mission), with only one vote against.
Opposition resolutions
Il Movement 5 stars he presented one resolution favorable to the three missions, but with some conditions. For the mission in the Red Sea, they ask for a specific commitment from the Government to guarantee a defensive nature to Operation Aspides. In the case of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the M5s proposes strong diplomatic action for the ceasefire and the restart of the peace process, together with the expansion of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip.
Il Democratic party authorized all three missions, but also called for a massive European political initiative for one International Peace Conference to end the conflict in the Middle East and an international interposition mission in Gaza under the auspices of the United Nations. The government gave a favorable opinion conditional on the dem resolution, with the elimination of the paragraph regarding the restoration of UNRWA funds for NGOs operating in Palestine and Israel. This financial support was suspended in January following allegations that 12 staff members were involved in Hamas attacks last October.
Green Left Alliance it opposed the mission in the Red Sea, while it authorized Italian participation in the mission in Ukraine and in the "Levante" mission on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with precise conditions regarding humanitarian support and monitoring of human rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
Tajani: “Aspides will act with tasks of a defensive nature”
In the document, also voted by the majority, it is underlined that the "Aspides" mission in the Red Sea is of defensive and non-offensive character. A concept also reiterated by Minister Tajani: “Aspides will act with tasks of a defensive nature, that is, the mission will not be able to undertake preventive actions. Non-executive tasks are foreseen – he said in the chamber -. Aspides is not directed against anyone, but in defense of a principle: the freedom and safety of navigation. Only by enforcing this principle is it possible to ensure security and well-being in the region." And again: “The responses will be conducted in full compliance with international law, customary law and the right to self-defense in the event of an imminent or ongoing attack, on own or third-party ships, as provided for in Article 51 of the Charter of Nations United – continued Tajani -. Aspides will also act in full compliance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea."
What is Aspides? And who participates?
The Foreign Ministers of the European Union, on February 19, approved the mission to restore the maritime security in the Red Sea e in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. The Aspides mission, with an expected duration of one year, focuses primarily on protecting the transit of commercial vessels, with a clear mandate to respond forcefully to suspected attacks in international waters. France, Germany e Greece they have already approved the mission, giving their full support. However, the mission is also open to other countries that wish to contribute. Currently, the contingent includes four ships and an air patrol system. The strategic command of the operations is entrusted to the Greek navy, while the operational command is entrusted to Italy. Belgium also seems willing to join the mission.
