An action plan to further consolidate the “strong relationship” between Italy and Germany. It is signed by the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, on the occasion of the intergovernmental summit in Berlin. The Plan aims to strengthen collaboration between Italy and Germany in matters of economy, innovation and social cohesion, climate, energy and environment, foreign and defense policy, European agenda and migration, contacts between civil societies and culture. An agreement that is “excellent news also for Europe”, said Meloni during the joint conference with Scholz at the chancellery in Berlin. The intergovernmental summit, the first in seven years, represents “a change of pace in our relations”, said the prime minister. Scholz highlighted in particular the importance of “energy collaboration”, in particular for the approval also through the gas pipeline project between the Alps for hydrogen.
Several topics were discussed between the two prime ministers, who also participated together in the virtual summit of G20 countries. Regarding the conflict in the Middle East, Italy and Germany agree in the “firm condemnation of Hamas”, explained Meloni, while Scholz reiterated that “Israel has the right to self-defense” and, at the same time, highlighted the importance of the humanitarian pause to guarantee aid to the population civil society in Gaza. Still on Ukraine, Meloni and Scholz reiterated “full support for Kiev”, stressing that Russian President Vladimir Putin (for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine, also at the virtual G20 summit) will be able to put an end to the war “by withdrawing its troops.” Scholz and Meloni also compared the issue of the EU Stability and Growth Pact, where “a meeting point” is sought despite different needs.
The Prime Minister takes stock of the situation: «We take steps day after day in a negotiation that is not easy, we start from different needs, but the clarity of our own needs also helps to look for synthetic solutions. The Italian position does not require a cheerful budgetary policy, which we have not done and are not doing in Italy, we are a serious nation and a serious government. We have an investment protection problem, which also concerns the strategic choices that the EU has made, such as the green and digital transition, Next Generation EU, defense. In our opinion, it is important that the new fiscal rules take into account what nations are doing to encourage these transitions and strategic choices, within the framework of a fiscal policy that must be serious. Germany’s position mainly concerns the issue of debt repayment and tries to find the best point for a pact which, however, must be possible to respect. Serve us, but serve Europe as a whole.”
Scholz was optimistic, saying a solution is approaching. A “quick and fair treatment in Brussels” is what the German Chancellor expected for the Lufthansa-Ita issue, for which “we are ready to send the notification to the European Commission next week”, added Meloni. Finally, Italy and Germany are closer, also on the issue of migrants. Meloni called the deal with Albania “innovative and in line with the rules,” which Scholz said he would “watch carefully.” In addition to Meloni, the Berlin summit was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani, the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Giancarlo Giorgetti, the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, the Minister of Labor, Marina Elvira Calderone and the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, who held bilateral meetings with their Italian counterparts.
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
