(ANSAmed) - ROME, MAY 4 - "The Arab Spring is no passing
phenomenon, it will continue to have a strong impact on the
situation. I believe this impact will be positive,'' said
Massimo D'Alema, president of the Foundation for European
Progressive Studies, in an interview with the new internet
international news radio station oltreradio.it.
D'Alema urged Europe to start a dialogue with the new Islamic parties that have risen to power. ''Whether we like it or not,'' explained the former foreign minister of Italy, ''political Islam is an important reality which we must take into account. I don't believe we should choose the road of non-dialogue." This, he pointed out, ''does not mean sympathising with fundamentalism. Europe has certain standards that cannot be renounced. Political Islamism must be challenged on this ground." D'Alema also mentioned the ''deep disappointment'' that exists in the Arab world in the Obama presidency: ''they expected much of him, they though he would completely change American politics. But this has not happened. In particular,'' he continued, ''there has been no breakthrough in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." D'Alema underlined the danger of the current stalemate in this conflict and the need to resume the dialogue: ''There is a sense of frustration and impotence which I consider to be very dangerous, because the general situation is in full motion." The president of the FEPS urged Italy to play a more active role in European context, ''stimulating, making proposals and taking new and more incisive initiatives'' to reopen the talks between the parties. '' (ANSAmed).
D'Alema urged Europe to start a dialogue with the new Islamic parties that have risen to power. ''Whether we like it or not,'' explained the former foreign minister of Italy, ''political Islam is an important reality which we must take into account. I don't believe we should choose the road of non-dialogue." This, he pointed out, ''does not mean sympathising with fundamentalism. Europe has certain standards that cannot be renounced. Political Islamism must be challenged on this ground." D'Alema also mentioned the ''deep disappointment'' that exists in the Arab world in the Obama presidency: ''they expected much of him, they though he would completely change American politics. But this has not happened. In particular,'' he continued, ''there has been no breakthrough in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." D'Alema underlined the danger of the current stalemate in this conflict and the need to resume the dialogue: ''There is a sense of frustration and impotence which I consider to be very dangerous, because the general situation is in full motion." The president of the FEPS urged Italy to play a more active role in European context, ''stimulating, making proposals and taking new and more incisive initiatives'' to reopen the talks between the parties. '' (ANSAmed).
