(by Massimiliano D'Elia) Italian foreign policy? Question that is really difficult to answer, especially in the days of the yellow red government. It is not clear whether we are on the side of the US or are reaching out to China, if we are with France and Germany or if we squint at Turkey. The mockery in Libya where once we were the major trading partners and beyond. Italy has always sided alongside the president of the government of national agreement, Fayez al Serraj, has never provided the requested support on the ground, relying solely and exclusively on the indications of the UN, or rather to prefer the political solution to put an end to the civil war between al Serraj and the lord of Tripolitania, general Kalifa Haftar.
In 2016, Italy placed a military hospital near Misurata, a strategic point for its proximity to the port and for the control of the eastern Mediterranean. For less than a year, however, Turkey has entered the scene in Libya, which militarily supports the troops of al Serraj, while Russia supports the militias of General Haftar with means and training. The external support to the two factions means that on the ground there is a sort of compensation of the forces with a stalemate in terms of conquests and new positions. A few hours ago the news came that in Libya the parties declared a ceasefire while Haftar reopened the oil wells to the east of the country (to the satisfaction of the NOC and Eni). Fayez al Serraj also announced that he would start the process that will soon lead the country to free and democratic elections.
Returning to the joke: the Turks entered Misrata and the Italian military had to move their hospital to a more "functional" position, justified the Ministry of Defense.
After this "lightning-fast annexation", the Italian premier, Giuseppe Conte had a one-hour phone conversation with Turkey's number one, Recep Tayyip Erdogan: he managed not to get apologies or more clarifications, but some economic-commercial concessions. It is certain that our foreign minister, Luigi Di Maio who in the meantime had himself photographed on a luxury yacht in Sardinia should have listened to the requests of al Serraj who asked us, first given the historical link, greater interest and support. To take advantage of the Italian and international disinterest in general was Turkey which in the meantime has also made an iron pact with the very rich Qatar.
The Libyan government has granted Turkey for 99 years the port of Misrata, on the Gulf of Sirte, a strategic base for naval operations in the eastern Mediterranean and the airport of al Watiya, in Tripolitan, Turkey, according to local media, has already sent 50 aircraft.
The agreement, writes Repubblica, was signed on August 17 during a visit by the Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Aktar together with his colleague from Qatar, Khaled al Attiyah. It will now be up to the wealthy government of Doha, close ally of Ankara, to cover the costs of Libyan reconstruction. However, Germany is no stranger to the pact: on the same day there was also the Foreign Minister of Berlin, Heiko Maas, whose presence is attributed, according to some observers, to German support for Turkey in the Mediterranean, while France by Emmanuel Macron is staunchly positioning himself against Ankara.
Italy obtained in exchange what it already had, the possibility for Eni's ships to be able to drill in the maritime area provided for by the Memorandum signed in November 2019 by Turkey and Libya.
Tensions with Italy
In February 2018, when the Italian ship Saipem 12000, legitimately on its way to Cypriot waters where it was to carry out some work, was stopped by the Turkish navy and forced to turn back. In fact, Italy, which has not only important but also legitimate interests there, today, as then, is unable to free itself from the grip of Turkish provocations. Our country has legally obtained concessions, but Turkey is in the field of illegality. This is because the decisions taken by Nicosia are political choices made by the only internationally recognized government of Cyprus, also belonging to the European Union. While Ankara's claim is based on the positioning of a state, such as the one located in the occupied part of the island, recognized only by Turkey itself.