Italy’s government supports Ukraine joining the European Union, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Thursday, while stressing that accession talks for Balkan countries seeking membership should not be pushed aside.
Tajani’s comments came a day after Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini’s League party said it was “absolutely opposed” to Ukraine joining the EU, exposing divisions within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s ruling coalition.
The European Commission is expected next month to propose opening the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine.
Speaking in Limassol, Cyprus, where he was attending a meeting of EU ministers, Tajani said Italy backed Ukraine’s eventual entry into the bloc but argued that timing remained the central issue.
“The government is in favour of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union,” Tajani said.
“The problem is the timing; the best formula is being explored at the European level.
“There are many proposals on the table, but I repeat: Ukraine is fine, we will help them, but it’s important not to sideline the accession of the Balkans, which is a priority for us”.
The League said on Wednesday that Ukraine’s membership would cause “economic and social harm”.
The party, led by Salvini, is part of the governing alliance supporting Meloni’s administration.
Opposition parties criticised the League’s position, with the centre-left Democratic Party accusing it of maintaining a pro-Russia stance.
“The Meloni government must disavow the League, which continues to pursue a pro-Russia agenda,” the Democratic Party said.
