Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, said Europe must take on more responsibilities in the international arena as it faces greater conflicts and crises.

There is no doubt that Europe today is at a new crossroads in its history and must choose to take on greater responsibilities in international life, Mattarella said during a meeting with a visiting delegation of the Nzami Ganjawi Foundation, Azerbaijan-based cultural organisation.

He described the international situation as complex and, in some cases, unprecedented, citing the war between Russia and Ukraine, the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and the deepening of crises in other regions, which sometimes receive little attention.

Mattella’s statements come at a time of security concerns in Europe due to the war in Ukraine and the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East.

A series of bomb threats also caused air traffic cuts across Europe this week, where at least 18 flights were targeted Thursday. / AA/