Afghanistan: Draghi, “the future is based on the defense of women’s rights”

ROME, AUGUST 17 – “For Italy, the future of Afghanistan is based on the defense of fundamental rights, the defense of women’s rights, as well as the protection of all those who have been on the front line in recent years in the defense of these rights,” Prime Minister Mario Draghi said in an exclusive interview with Mario De Pizzo of TG1 on the situation in the country fallen in the hands of the Taliban.

Draghi recalled that Italy in these 20 years has lost 54 soldiers, while about 700 were wounded. “To the families I say: their sacrifice was not in vain. They have defended the values for which they were sent and have done good. For me and for all Italians, they are heroes,” the premier added.

In spite of the pessimism of the last hours, Draghi said he was certain that Europe would be up to the task: “We are all aware that cooperation is absolutely necessary to address two objectives: reception of refugees and security”. Global collaboration is necessary, “and the G20 is a natural place to start this work. As President of the G20, Italy is fully committed to building an appropriate venue for this collaboration.” A first opportunity will be in a few days at the G20 on women in Margherita Ligure, said the Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family, Elena Bonetti.

In light of the worsening of the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and in the framework of ongoing international contacts on the crisis, Prime Minister Draghi had this morning a phone conversation with the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Angela Merkel.

During the call the two leaders discussed the humanitarian protection of those who have cooperated with the Italian and German Institutions over the past years and of the most vulnerable categories, in particular the Afghan women. The two leaders also assessed the initiatives that could be adopted within the European Union, the G7 and the G20 to support Afghanistan’s stability and protect the achievements in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms reached in the last twenty years.(@OnuItalia)