Italy is "the first, most credible,
most solid interlocutor of the US in the European Union," Deputy
Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini told the press
after meeting Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington
Monday.
Salvini said he shared the "concerns of the US administration
both towards China and towards Iran".
Salvini said "Italy's position with Iran has already changed:
no one can dare to say they want to cancel a state from the face
of the earth, like Israel, and have normal relations".
Salvini said his after talks with Pompeo that Italy had
"common visions and solutions" with the Trump administration on
foreign policy issues ranging from Iran to the Middle East and
from Venezuela to Libya.
Salvini said "Italy s the biggest European country with which
the United States can and want to dialogue: I'm here to open a
channel that may be huge, and of extremely great interest for
both (sides)".
Salvini said that "from my point of view the accords signed
(on the F35s) cannot be ditched. Investing in research involving
Italian work forces is absolutely useful and healthy".
Salvini said that "we are working to verify the issues and
possible concrete risks that may impose a reflection" on
Huanwei's role in the development of 5G networks. He said he
agreed with US concerns.
The deputy premier, interior minister and nationalist League
party leader then moved into Italy's bid to avert an
infringement procedure by the European Commisison for breaking
the EU's debt rule.
Salvini said that "the EU's obstinance on limits, on
austerity does not help.
"For this reason we will deal with the European Union on an
equal footing without reverential fears".
Salvini said "we are agreed with (Premier Giuseppe) Conte
that we will see each other before sending the (budget) letter
(to the European Commission on averting an infringement
procedure): the vote of the Italians of two weeks ago allows us
to say that we must cut taxes".
Finally, Salvini said that "I'm still awaiting the UN
inspectors" on the alleged human rights breaches in his second
security and migrants decree.
A "Trumpian", tax-cutting budget is needed in Italy to give
the economy a much-needed shot in the arm, Salvini added.
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