Italian Foreign Policy between Atlanticism and Eurocentrism

In the article the author discusses two main vectors of the Italian foreign policy which are: Аtlantism (as support of the US policy and so-called “atlantic solidarity”) and europeism – as an expression of loyalty of the political line of Brussels in the framework of the EU. The question raised in the article is: are these two directions mutually exclusive or complementary? The article analyzes the period of the Second Republic in Italy, the beginning of which coincided with the end of the Cold War and is connected with the political changes at the national level. These important events demonstrated the barest necessity to enhance the discourse on foreign policy strategy of the state. What is more, they established the need for the acquisition of a more significant position for Italy in the world (the role of “protagonist”). One can see these changing trends (evolution of Italian foreign policy) more clearly during the period of confrontation between governments of Silvio Berlusconi and Romano Prodi. S. Berlusconi traditionally orientated his policy towards the United States, and R. Prodi, on the contrary, was always among the politicians who were looking for the strengthening of integration within the EU. It was confirmed by foreign policy decisions adopted by Italian leaders during important international initiatives (e.g. operations in the Balkans, Iraq, the signing of the European Constitution, etc.). Nevertheless, it is impossible to say with certainty that the commitment to the particular political orientation excludes the other one. Thus, Italian foreign policy gained a kind of inherent ambiguity in the determination of the country's strategy. This was embodied in the tactics of “building bridges”. In that way Italy received the role of a “bridge” between different regions around the world.

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