Italy stands committed to defending peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and in the Taiwan Strait, as well as supporting Taiwan’s inclusion in the international arena.
In support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the Italian Navy last year carried out joint submarine exercises with the USS Russell in the South China Sea, showing its willingness to play an active role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Italy’s approach is grounded on the premise that China cannot unilaterally change the “status quo” through military action or economic coercion, which might lead to increasing tensions and destabilize the region.
In that regard, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration this year reiterated its commitment to peace in the Taiwan Strait during a meeting with the Philippine government, which happened in the context of Beijing’s rising threat to Manila’s territorial integrity.
In January, an Italian delegation led by Italian Finance Committee Chair Marco Osnato visited Taiwan with the aim of reaffirming Rome’s commitment to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The cross-party delegation met with Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Shen You-chung (沈有忠), who expressed Taiwan’s willingness to deepen its cooperation with Italy on the basis of their shared values and common goals.
Shen underlined the “universal values of freedom, democracy and human rights” that unite Italy’s and Taiwan’s approach toward any disputes that might arise in the international arena.
When it comes to the Italian political landscape, Osnato said that: “The cross party delegation’s visit shows Rome’s support for Taipei across party lines and reflects the latter’s importance to security in the Indo-Pacific region.”
It is no coincidence that the Italian Chamber of Deputies Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed a resolution supporting Taiwan in September last year.
By committing itself to Taiwan’s inclusion in the international fora, such as the WHO and the International Civil Aviation Organization, Italy aims to prove itself as a reliable partner for advancing one of the main pillars of Taiwan foreign policy agenda.
Moreover, the Italian delegation went to Taipei to send a clear message regarding where the two countries’ relations might head.
“Hopefully, the two nations would continue to strengthen parliamentary, trade and cultural exchanges,” Osnato said.
Particularly regarding “parliamentary diplomacy,” Taiwan and Italy could deepen their cooperation in the absence of formal ties.
Through parliamentary diplomacy, two countries could advance common goals and promote better understanding by setting up formal and informal meetings, conferences and parliamentary assemblies.
For an unrecognized country such as Taiwan, parliamentary diplomacy is a tool for expanding relationships with Western allies in several areas of common interest. That has proven beneficial to several parliamentary resolutions on China’s misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758 and support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. As many liberal democracies adopt cross-party resolutions aimed at challenging China’s narrative regarding the UN’s policy on Taiwan’s sovereignty and independence, Italy could follow suit.
Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani already demonstrated his awareness that Taiwan’s security is integral to upholding a rules-based international system.
During an interview with the Italian broadcaster La7, Tajani outlined the scenario that liberal democracies would be facing in the coming years: “China and Russia must not seek to advance their imperialistic agenda by conquering democratic territories.”
“Italy has to choose between democracies and autocracies, and it will firmly side with the first ones,” he said.
Tajani is a long-standing supporter of Taiwan’s inclusion in international fora. He reiterated his stance at the beginning of last month, stressing that “WHO was wrong to bar Taiwanese scientists from [COVID-19] pandemic prevention.”
Advocating for a paradigmatic shift aimed at allowing Taiwan to access the global reporting system, as well as receive the most up-to-date information on cases or assistance from WHO, is a way to demonstrate Italy’s commitment to defending the correct interpretation of UN Resolution 2758 and in seeking the attainment of the highest possible level of health for all people.
Italy would keep advocating for Taiwan’s inclusion in the international stage to allow it to share the necessary expertise to further develop several strategic sectors.
Michele Maresca is an analyst at Il Caffe Geopolitico, an online international law journal, and the think tank Geopol21.
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