EU slaps Italy in the face again

EU foreign ministers were unable to agree on Monday on a declaration on religious freedom and a condemnation of the recent violence against Christians in the Middle East. A draft text drawn up previously by representatives of all 27 EU states failed over the question of whether Christians should be given explicit mention. The rejection of direct reference to Christians is a slap in the face for Rome, according to the left-wing liberal daily La Repubblica: "Italy has failed to ensure that Christian communities are explicitly named as victims of persecution in the EU declaration. In the end, the Foreign Minister Franco Frattini ... had no option but to demand that the declaration be withdrawn. It is the umpteenth slap in the face for the Berlusconi government from EU Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton. It follows hot on the heels of the EU's refusal to force Brazil to hand over [the former terrorist Cesare] Battisti to Italy. A matter which in the view of the EU is related solely to bilateral relations between Italy and Brazil."

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