President Meloni’s press statement following the E5 Leaders’ meeting

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here. 

My thanks to Chancellor Merz; thank you, Friedrich, for coming up with this initiative. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Starmer, for our excellent cooperation over these months as well as for the excellent cooperation between Italy and the United Kingdom, and between Europe and the United Kingdom. So, thank you again, Keir.

This occasion clearly provided us with an opportunity to have an in-depth discussion on the tools we have available to bolster our shared capacity to tackle the complex challenges that history is presenting us with, at a historic moment in which the global security architecture is changing extremely quickly.

We are of course all starting from the same shared awareness: Europe must take on its responsibilities in terms of defence and security, by resolutely pursuing the path it has embarked upon to create a more solid and stronger European component of the Atlantic Alliance, clearly with a view to complementing the American pillar; by leveraging the expertise we have; and by incentivising the development of a robust European industrial base.

That said, we are equally well aware that the commitments each NATO member state undertook in The Hague last year do not only concern defence in the traditional sense; they concern and cover a broader concept of security and strategic resilience. This means safeguarding critical infrastructure, guaranteeing energy supplies, protecting families’ and companies’ data against cyberattacks, strengthening our emergency response capacity and protecting our borders. 

The path we want to continue following is therefore one of a multidimensional approach to the concept of defence and security, and one that pays attention to all of the Alliance’s flanks in order to protect our freedom and sovereignty against the pitfalls and systemic risks of an increasingly unstable and increasingly competitive world. 

Furthermore, this means we must be able to make every investment as effective and concrete as possible, to also try and guide innovation instead of limiting ourselves to chasing after it – this is another major challenge that Europe can overcome. Italy wants to contribute its own know-how to these efforts, strengthening the Atlantic Alliance and making the transatlantic bond even more solid – a bond which remains one of the founding pillars of Western unity. 

As the proceedings continue, we will also be focusing on the main international issues, of course starting with Ukraine and the Middle East. 

With regard to Ukraine, we reiterate our commitment to a just and lasting peace within a scenario that first and foremost requires effective security guarantees for the nation under attack. Nothing, however, will be possible unless we continue supporting Kyiv until a just and lasting peace is possible. In this regard, as you know, Italy remains committed. We are working in particular on critical infrastructure and energy resilience – a crucial front, as President Zelensky pointed out a few days ago during the G7 summit and European Council meeting.

With regard to the Middle East, the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran is clearly a very positive sign for everyone, but we are also aware of how precarious the scenario still is and how necessary it is to help, making every effort to consolidate the framework. 

Of key importance remain the nuclear issue, regional stability and the security of international maritime routes, with the related freedom of navigation – namely, the Strait of Hormuz – a strategic priority for everyone. In this regard, Italy has already stated its readiness to help, obviously without prejudice to the authorisations that would be necessary in this case. 

Important decisions and engagements therefore lie ahead and Italy, as always, will do its part.

Thank you again, Friedrich, and good luck, Keir.

[Courtesy translation]

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Inglese

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E5 Leaders’ meeting

Tipologia intervento: 
Intervento

[This video is available in Italian only]

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