Maintaining Economic Diplomacy is the Goal of Peace

The Verona Forum has a tradition of dialog and strategic debate between businessmen, experts from different sectors, politicians, and representatives of institutions between different countries along the Europe-Asia line. In recent editions, it could no longer be held in Verona because of the Russian-Ukrainian war and the situation of the “new cold war,” as it has been called, that has arisen between East and West. Yet the work of mutual understanding and dialog continued, first in Baku, Azerbaijan, and then in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This year, the organizers chose Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates as the venue. Maintaining economic diplomacy was important precisely in the context of the conflict. Not only for contracts and agreements still in force between Italians and Russians, but also to help negotiations at a higher level, both political and diplomatic. We know that wars never resolve conflicts. Fortunately, sooner or later they will come to an end, and those who have been thinking of creation rather than destruction will find themselves ready to interpret the new phase. Personally, I’ve always followed the Forum as a journalistic observer over the past years and have always found incentives to think and learn about different worlds. And great opportunities for dialog. The constant presence of Romano Prodi, who always gets invited by the organizers to various events, was a sign of the strong presence of a political and economic Europe that adhered to its best traditions.

True. But actually, over the past three years, political Europe seems to have gradually lost its historical role as a mediator between different worlds and interests, a global reference point for peace and cooperation. It was sort of a NATO takeover, in purely military logic. However, this happened at the level of governments, not public opinion and the orientation of the electorate. Polls and statistics tell us that the majority of European citizens are against war and would like negotiations. In Europe and the Middle East. As a convinced papist and pacifist, I remember that Pope Francis never stopped asking world leaders for a ceasefire, to end hostilities, and to build a “just and lasting peace.” The current tensions in political Europe, as well as the difficulties of Ursula von der Leyen’s second mandate today show with great clarity all the contradictions of the old continent.

As I said, finding new countries was a necessity. But as with all difficulties, this time there were opportunities. Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates is a strategic place of dialog that plays a key role, especially for the Middle East, which has also suffered a terrible war. Talking here about economic and trade “cooperation” is uniquely valuable. The world of business and politics will offer the Forum its diplomacy based on real economic and social needs, which takes into account the true needs of the people. The synergy between economic diplomacy and cultural diplomacy will continue in Ras Al Khaimah. Let us not forget that for Italy, the United Arab Emirates is the first market in the MENA region and that the first Italian Cultural Institute in the Gulf region was opened in Abu Dhabi.

I have not answered you about the new frontiers of a multipolar world… I will do so now by answering this question. We should not be under any great illusions about the prospects for peace, but the election of Trump has certainly opened up a new scenario, given that the same Donald who promised to “end wars” got elected. There is a thaw coming, and there is a sense that his presidency could end the conflict between the USA and Russia through a proxy country. Politically and diplomatically, it’s a minor earthquake. We’ll see. However, I would like to emphasize that in recent years, there have been attempts at dialogue and even separate agreements on some issues of mutual interest: I am referring to the agreement on Ukrainian wheat, which Turkey is advocating. And I think of the humanitarian initiatives of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi on behalf of the Holy See, which have been appreciated by Moscow and Kiev. The idea of a multipolar world is not a fanciful abstraction, but a realistic observation of an Earth that should be governed by more economic cooperation and more politics. It seemed as if the West had locked itself in the ivory tower of the G7 and defied the Global South.

Yes, the latest summit and the expansion of BRICS to some key countries represent a big demand for cooperation and collaboration from the West. The drive to reform the world monetary system, as well as various international organizations, should be seen in this light. There’s no point in looking for a conflict. An American-led unipolar world has remained the dream of some neo-conservative strategist in Washington, and it’s time to put it aside.

The government led by Giorgia Meloni has succeeded in foreign policy in pushing Europe to rethink its relations with African countries. I am referring to the Mattei plan, which puts economic and social cooperation back in the forefront. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has often tried to interpret his difficult assignment with restraint and moderation, rejecting a certain bellicose euphoria. Antonio Tajani himself in the Italian Foreign Ministry has always repeated that the ultimate goal of our foreign policy is negotiation and dialog. Sure, Italians are overwhelmingly against wars, and this people’s will has often been ignored or circumvented.

I would say there is a need for an open space for dialog and debate. If you look at the views, in the four available languages – Italian, English, Russian, and Chinese – there were over 50,000 online views from 168 different countries. The Opinion column, edited by Alessandro Cassieri, a veteran of Channel One News, brings together a number of high-profile names and personalities from around the world each week. In the online journal you will find the writings by Stefano Zamagni, Andrew Spannaus, Massimo Nava, Jesuit Gael Giraud, Mario Giro, Heinz-Joachim Fischer, Andrea Beltratti, Fulvio Scaglione, Francesco Sidoti, and many others. There are also some popular economic articles that are followed with great interest. Ideas run and find the most unexpected paths, even when individual thoughts should dominate.

With permission by Antidiplomatico