The two heads of government emphasized the good relations between the two countries.
(Photo: Reuters)
Berlin Chancellor Olaf Scholz also wants to deepen bilateral relations with the right-wing Italian government. “We intend to quickly conclude the negotiations that have been started on the joint action plan,” said Scholz on Friday evening after a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The background was the attempt with the former Prime Minister Mario Draghi to define further areas of cooperation bilaterally – similar to what is also the case with France. “It’s going on and, by the way, at great speed, we want to be finished soon,” added Scholz. Meloni also confirmed this.
Ever since Meloni, leader of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, took office, there had been doubts as to whether the good German-Italian relations under Draghi could remain so harmonious.
In the past few weeks, despite differences in migration policy, for example, the Prime Minister’s relatively moderate course has been emphasized, at least during her first days in office. Meloni came to Berlin for her inaugural visit on Friday.
Scholz initially left open whether there should also be German-Italian government consultations in the future, such as with Spain.
“I don’t know when I should have said that”
Meloni, who had spoken of an allergy to Germany in her opposition role, struck a conciliatory tone. “I don’t know when I said that,” she said when asked about the statement. She only said once that she had failed to learn German. “But not because I’m allergic,” emphasized the party leader of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia.
In April 2019, Meloni said in a newspaper interview that she had learned Spanish and French. She tried her hand at German, but didn’t make it, although she was a “geek”. “I’m allergic to Germany, even when it comes to books,” Meloni explained at the time.
During her visit to Berlin, she reaffirmed her tough course to curb migration to Europe. When it comes to responsibility and solidarity, the decision should not be left to the smugglers, she said.
With regard to the topic, Scholz emphasized that those who have a right to stay in Europe must also be able to stay. Europe needs immigration, said the Chancellor, referring to the shortage of skilled workers.
The Ministry of the Interior in Rome records tens of thousands of boat migrants arriving in Italy via the Mediterranean every year. However, many of them continue to head north of Europe. According to Meloni’s idea, people should already apply for asylum in North Africa, from where they usually set sail, to determine whether they can legally come to Italy.
No break in Italian foreign policy so far
Scholz described the plan for the transformation of the economy presented by the EU Commission as a basis for the discussions at the upcoming EU summit. Europe must permanently take a leading position in the green transformation, he emphasized. At the same time, the chancellor warned against a global subsidy race, referring to a US subsidy program worth billions for companies manufacturing there.
Meloni has ruled Italy since the end of October. Right at the beginning, in a speech in Parliament, she made it clear that Italy would remain a “trustworthy partner” in NATO. She condemned the Russian war in Ukraine: “We must not accept the war of aggression and violation of the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation.”
Meloni and her right-wing government have been in office for a little over 100 days. Some observers have so far not seen a clear course. “Meloni’s first 100 days in office have been marked by very cautious steps on sensitive issues such as the relationship with Brussels, the management of public finances and support for Ukraine,” says political expert Wolfango Piccoli. It is still unclear what she actually stands for. Your government has not done much so far.
So far, there has been no discernible break in Italian foreign policy – not even on the subject of Ukraine, said SPD foreign policy expert Nils Schmid to the newspapers of the Funke media group (Friday). At the same time, Schmid called for vigilance. The chairman of the Europe Committee in the Bundestag, Anton Hofreiter, warned not to be fooled by a reserved demeanor. “Meloni is still the representative of a post-fascist party that takes extreme right-wing positions,” said the Green politician.
More: Meloni meets Scholz – a visit becomes a diplomatic tightrope act