Page 8 - ARUBA TODAY

A8 WORLD NEWS
Tuesday 5 June 2018

On migrants & Moscow, Italy's new foreign policy makes waves

By NICOLE WINFIELD Moscow supported,
ROME (AP) — The foreign let alone financed, the
policy agenda of Italy's League or any other pro-
new populist government Russia parties. The Russian
caused a stir on two fronts government repeatedly
Monday, with Tunisia has said it never meddled
protesting a comment by in the domestic affairs of EU
the interior minister about nations.
migrants and the pro- Salvini has made several
Russia stance of the ruling high-profile trips to Russia,
coalition receiving scrutiny. including a March 2017
The Tunisian Foreign Ministry visit to sign a cooperation
expressed "great surprise" agreement with ruling
at Italian Interior Minister party United Russia.
Matteo Salvini's statement Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti,
on Sunday that the north a Russia expert and
African country "isn't research fellow at the
exporting gentlemen, it Institute for International
seems more often they're Political Studies in Milan,
exporting convicts." said there is no proof of
The ministry summoned Russian financing of the
Italy's ambassador Monday League. But she said Salvini's
to discuss Salvini's remark, actions and frequent public
saying it demonstrated praise of Putin "gives rise to
"lack of understanding" suspicions."
of Italy's cooperation The League's call for lifting
agreements with Tunisia to sanctions is rooted in the
prevent illegal immigration. economic fallout Italians
As the leader of the right- have suffered — by some
wing League, one of estimates as much as 4
the two populist parties billion euros — due to the
represented in the Italian EU sanctions and counter-
Cabinet sworn in Friday, measures imposed by
Salvini was known for Russia. Together, they have
xenophobic rhetoric. hurt Italian exports as well
But his words carry more as the country's tourism
weight now that he is industry.
interior minister and deputy Ambrosetti noted that
premier in the League-5- Italy's vice Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Matteo Salvini receives media attention as it's one thing for Salvini
Star government. he arrives to visits to a so-called ‘’hot spot” in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. to campaign on lifting
Salvini made the comment Associated Press Russian sanctions, or to
during a local campaign even commit to principles
stop in Sicily where he was migrants who have Russia. The League-5-Star in a government policy
stumping for the League in reached Italy so far this "I don't know if Putin government which faces agenda, and quite another
upcoming local elections. year, 2,889, are more than is actually financially confidence votes in to put that policy into effect
He prefaced it by noting the number from any other supporting him and Parliament on Tuesday, in Brussels.
that Tunisia was a free and country. his party," Soros said in when its positon on Russia "Italy can certainly become
democratic country that The international incident response to a question could come up. the leader of those
isn't experiencing "wars, underscored the potential from the audience. "This is While confirming Italy's countries inside the EU, like
epidemics, famines or diplomatic difficulties a question that I think the NATO commitments, the Bulgaria or Greece, which
pestilence." created by Salvini's rise Italian public has a right to new government's policy want the sanctions regime
After the Italian ambassador to power; on Sunday, the ask, and ask him to tell you agenda calls for lifting to end, but we can't do it
was summoned in Tunis, League's close ties to Russia whether he's actually in the European Union sanctions alone," Ambrosetti said.
Salvini said he would be also sparked controversy. pay of Putin." against Russia as well as She pointed out that
happy to discuss the issue At an economic forum in The League denounced the opening of dialogue European Commission
soon with his Tunisian Trento on Sunday, billionaire Soros' comments, saying and partnerships, given chief Jean-Claude Juncker
counterpart. philanthropist George it "never received a lira, Moscow's economic, recently called for the EU to
Tunisia has largely stemmed Soros publicly called for euro or ruble from Russia." commercial and strategic find avenues where it can
Italy-bound human Italians to press the Salvini But Salvini called President importance. work with Russia, saying
smuggling operations, but and the League to reveal Vladimir Putin "one of the Russian officials have "this Russia-bashing has to
the number of Tunisian if it received financing from best statesmen." denied claims that be brought to an end."q