The axis with Berlin is strengthened, just as the ice has fallen in relations with Paris. Giorgia Meloni defines the meeting with Friedrich Merz as "very operational, the most effective denial of the alleged lack of interest of the German government in a relationship with Italy". Automotive, international crises, immigration, the list of dossiers with overlapping objectives is long. While there is decidedly less harmony with Emmanuel Macron, as also confirmed by the long-distance clash in Tirana after the meeting of the Volenterosi without the prime minister.

"I can only take note of the fact that from President Macron's words , sending troops is no longer a topic of discussion ," replies Meloni, who realistically was the implicit target of the French leader when he spoke of the spread of "false information" adding that "there is enough of that Russian stuff."

A restricted format like the one in Tirana "weakens the European Union and undermines Western unity" , was the early morning comment of Undersecretary Giovanbattista Fazzolari, and a few hours later, answering some questions after the statements with Merz, the Prime Minister further clarified the line: "In a delicate moment like this, it is perhaps necessary to abandon personalisms a little". It remains to be seen what format the next meeting of the Volenterosi will have.

"At a time when the hypothesis of soldiers seems to have faded - explains Meloni -, all the more reason we are available as always to participate in any format with European and Western partners to reach a just and lasting peace in Ukraine". However, Merz assures that "there is no discussion about sending troops to Ukraine, it is outside of any political reality". While the Chancellor is disappointed by the negotiations in Istanbul and underlines the increase in pressure on Moscow with "the 17th package of European sanctions" "especially on the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea", Meloni hopes it is "a first timid step towards a peace process".

Gratefully welcoming the Pope's proposal to host the negotiations in the Vatican. Where, among other things, Meloni will have a new opportunity to meet Macron in the next few hours, at the enthronement of Leo XIV. Which is the event that brought Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Merz to Rome, who met one after the other on the eve at Palazzo Chigi. Other meetings, not necessarily bilateral, could also take place in the next few hours. US Vice President JD Vance and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also expected in the capital, as well as Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky.

Meanwhile, in the triangulation of variable relationships between Italy, Germany and France, Meloni strengthens the one with Olaf Scholz's successor. The internal discussions in the German government on the relationship with Rome are branded as fake news by Merz: «For us, Italy is an indispensable strategic partner in European and foreign policy».

There is political chemistry between the two, they assure . But Meloni refuses to give advice to the guest in view of a meeting with Donald Trump: "The Chancellor is a politician with great experience and I am not a psychologist for international leaders. I think Trump is working to defend American interests and respects leaders who defend national interests." A new intergovernmental summit between Italy and Germany has been set for early 2026. There is no shortage of differences on some dossiers, for example Mercosur on which Germany is pushing for "rapid adoption."

But the objectives are common to change the trajectory of the Green Deal and "remedy the damage of an ideological transition" by protecting the automotive industry; or on European defense, of which "the Leonardo-Rheinmetall joint venture" is "a first group", Meloni notes, then announcing Merz's interest in "participating in the meetings of the group of 'like minded' countries" before the meetings of the European Council "to address the great migration issue also with innovative solutions such as our protocol with Albania".

On the subject of migrants, Italy, the Prime Minister confirmed, is also working to open a "political debate" with EU partners "to question ourselves on the European conventions", the ECHR first and foremost, "and the capacity they have today, a few decades after they were written".

(Online Union)

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