Rome, 17 December (LaPresse) – ‘The fall of Assad is good news that is rightly celebrated by the Syrian population. Italy is ready to talk with the new leadership, in a context of concerted action with international partners. The first steps seem encouraging, but we will have to look at how minorities will be treated, with particular attention to Christians. Today, religious freedom belongs to the fundamental rights that the law can never limit. And we must avoid a return of Isis. I am convinced that the EU has a fundamental role to play in Syria'. This was said by the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, during her address to the Chamber of Deputies ahead of the European Council.