Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed a renewed German-Italian Action Plan in Rome on Friday, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation and reinforcing the European Union’s strategic autonomy.
The agreement was concluded during an intergovernmental summit held at Villa Doria Pamphili, where the two delegations focused on shared priorities including defence and security, industrial competitiveness, energy, and migration.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Meloni said Europe must become “authoritative and competitive,” stressing that Italy and Germany bear a “special responsibility” to ensure the EU becomes a protagonist of its own destiny.
Merz echoed this sentiment, noting that the two countries are “closer than ever before” after 75 years of diplomatic relations.
He emphasised the need to boost industrial competitiveness and enhance Europe’s security posture, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine, energy challenges and NATO’s role in an era of intensifying global power competition.
In a joint statement released earlier, Rome and Berlin reaffirmed the importance of the transatlantic relationship with the United States, based on shared values and interests.
They also reiterated their commitment to international law, including the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty, with explicit references to Ukraine and Greenland.
Under the updated Action Plan, Italy and Germany pledged to coordinate closely in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, including sanctions, support for Ukraine’s resilience and reconstruction, and initiatives aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.
They also expressed support for US-led efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza.
The summit produced seven bilateral understandings across sectors such as agriculture, culture, mining, technology and higher education, alongside two broader agreements. One was a non-binding political declaration aimed at deepening cooperation in security, defence and cybersecurity.
The other was the formal update of the 2023 German–Italian Action Plan, reflecting the EU’s need to act as a stronger geopolitical player while remaining capable of enlargement.
Defence and security featured prominently in the discussions. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence, while promoting the EU’s defence readiness through closer coordination in international fora such as the United Nations, OSCE and G7.
A new annual consultation mechanism between Italian and German defence and foreign ministers was also announced.
Economic competitiveness, particularly in the automotive and energy-intensive sectors, was another key pillar. Italy and Germany agreed to support a “competitive green transition,” pursuing EU climate goals while respecting technological neutrality.
The approach reflects shared concerns about maintaining industrial jobs and competitiveness, especially as Europe faces strong competition from China in electric vehicle technologies.
Migration and cooperation with Africa also featured in the Action Plan. Building on Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa and Germany’s updated African Policy Guidelines, the two countries committed to joint initiatives promoting stability and development across the continent.
The strategy combines development partnerships with stronger external border protection and migration management, in line with EU and international law.
The summit concluded with meetings between Italian and German business leaders, underscoring the central role of economic cooperation in the renewed bilateral agenda.