Italy on Wednesday urged "dialogue" between Ethiopia's federal government and leaders in Tigray after it launched a deadly offensive there last week following months of worsening tension with the northern province's leaders.
"The Italian government is worried by developments in Ethiopia and encourages dialogue between the two sides," Di Maio said on Wednesday. He was addressing members of Italy's lower house of parliament.
"While we confirm our full solidarity and friendship with the Ethiopian people, however we have not concealed our concern at developments in the country," Di Maio continued.
Italy is eager to prevent a further escalation in Ethiopia's deepening conflict "and to ensure the country's stability by encouraging dialogue," he said.
Ethiopian premier Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday rejected peace talks on Wednesday until "until our efforts to ascertain the rule of law are achieved".
Tigray's leader, Debretsion Gebremichael, wrote to the African Union (AU) last week to request talks.
Abiy ordered a military offensive in Tigray after an army base in the Tigrayan capital, Mekelle, was taken over by forces loyal to the regional government of Tigray.
The Ethiopian army has claimed to have killed 550 Tigrayan fighters so far. Officials in Sudan, which borders with the Tigray region, say at least 6,000 Ethiopians have arrived in the country since the offensive began.
Debretsion has accused the neighbouring Eritrean government of launching attacks on the Tigrayan state, an accusation denied by both the Eritrean government and the Ethiopian national army.
Ahmed has imposed a six-month state of emergency in Tigray, amid fears it could seek to secede from Ethiopia.
