Massimo D'Alema is a foreign minister in the new government of center-left Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who came to power in May 2006.
"Our government's foreign policy is based on three guidelines: firstly, we seek unity in the European Union. Secondly, we want progress in resolving the Middle East crisis and the fight against terrorism, and thirdly, we aim to expand international horizons," said D'Alema, who is also a former prime minister.
The government's future will depend on whether the Senate approves the foreign policy program. D'Alema said Tuesday the Cabinet led by Romano Prodi would have to resign under the Constitution if the Senate's ruling majority failed to back the program.
The ruling coalition is split over Italy's participation in the U.S.-led peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan. The Communist Refoundation Party, the Party of Italian Communists and the Federation of the Greens demand that Italian troops be pulled out of Afghanistan.
On January 26, the Italian government decided to renew funding for the Italian troops deployed as part of NATO's force in Afghanistan.
The Senate's vote later Wednesday will show whether the split in parliament has been overcome.
D'Alema made Afghanistan the key point of his speech in parliament. "The civilian component of the international forces in Afghanistan is increasing, which is reflected in higher government allocations," he said, adding that funding would be further raised.
"Staying there is a difficult decision. But we will only be able to demand that Italy represent the Afghan mission in the UN Security Council and promote holding an international peace conference if we stay there," he said.
"If we are not there, we will have no right to pressurize the international community - and this is the only way of continuing the obligations to restore peace, which Italy has assumed."
Talking about Iran's controversial nuclear program, D'Alema said Italy was meeting its obligations and applying sanctions introduced by the UN. The UN Security Council banned the transfer of technology and expertise to Iran's nuclear facilities in December over the Islamic Republic's failure to give up its disputed nuclear program. The West and Israel suspect Iran of pursuing a clandestine nuclear weapons program.
The minister said Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme Security Council in Iran and the country's top nuclear negotiator, was expected in Rome later in the day.
D'Alema said he would demand that Iran "make an open and friendly gesture" toward resolving its nuclear problem. Italy is Iran's main trade partner in Europe.
"We also need to re-launch a complex program for non-proliferation and reduction in nuclear arsenals because there is a threat that the arms race could start anew, above all between the United States and Russia," D'Alema said.
He said the issue must be put back on the international agenda, and would possibly become the central question during Japan's presidency in the Group of Eight.
The U.S. has announced plans to build missile defense systems in central Europe, which has raised security concerns in Moscow.
The U.S. insists that the European missile shield is meant to counter possible attacks from Iran or North Korea but Russia says the deployment of missile bases close to its borders could only mean it is the real target.
D'Alema concluded his speech in parliament by saying: "I ask the Senate to provide broad political support in the resolution of sensitive and complex international issues."
