Antonio Tajani, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, attended MED9 on behalf of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, reaffirming Rome’s vision of a more cohesive, pragmatic Europe – one that remains closely engaged with the challenges of its Southern front.
The context: Launched in 2016 as Med7 under Greek initiative and expanded in 2021 with Croatia and Slovenia, the Med9 format has become a key platform for coordinating the positions of Southern EU countries on shared strategic priorities: growth, climate transition, migration, and security.
- The meeting brought together, in addition to Tajani, counterparts from France, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, Croatia, Slovenia, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Mediterranean and Gaza at the centre. Italy has been working to restore the Mediterranean as a priority on the EU’s agenda — without downplaying the centrality of the response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine — by stressing that the same hybrid threats affecting Europe’s Eastern and Northern fronts also impact its Southern flank.
- “We want to turn the ceasefire and the first phase of the Trump Plan into peace,” the Minister stressed, recalling the upcoming visit to Italy by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (November 7) and Italy’s steadfast support for the “Two Peoples, Two States” solution as the long-term horizon for stability in the Middle East.
- Tajani also recalled the recent MED Dialogues in Naples—an annual conference organised by the Italian Foreign Ministry in partnership with ISPI, a Milan-based think tank. For the first time since the ceasefire, the event hosted both the Israeli and Palestinian foreign ministers, underscoring Italy’s diplomatic continuity in the region.
- For the stabilization of the Gaza Strip, the Minister confirmed Italy’s readiness to consider strengthening the Carabinieri presence at the Rafah and Jericho crossings, emphasizing that Italy is prepared to do its part on the security front within the international and UN frameworks that will be established.
- The Minister thanked Jordan and Egypt, with which Italy is working closely in its comprehensive action for Gaza. Italy will contribute to organizing the upcoming Reconstruction Conference in Cairo, involving its private sector, following the model of the Rome Conference on Ukraine’s Reconstruction held last July.
European competitiveness and common defence. On the economic front, during the meeting in Slovenia, Tajani advocated for the creation of a European Competitiveness Fund, the completion of the single market, the establishment of a European defence industry, and a single capital market.
The meeting: During the plenary session in Portorož, Tajani put the focus on industry and agriculture, support for small and medium-sized companies, energy, trade, legal immigration and peace in the Middle East: “MED9 is an important forum for strengthening unity, facing major global challenges,” he said.
- He reiterated Italy’s call to address the energy challenge through a diversified approach, including next-generation nuclear power alongside renewables, to lower energy costs and reduce external dependencies.
- Agriculture also featured prominently: Rome opposes merging agricultural funds with other budget chapters, insisting that they maintain their specific purpose within the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework.
Italy’s priorities. In discussions on the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, Italy urged adequate resources for the Union’s traditional pillars — agriculture and cohesion — while enhancing the role of Mediterranean countries in managing migration flows, energy security, and European defence.
- On migration, Tajani called for stronger cooperation to combat irregular flows while expanding legal migration channels that contribute to Europe’s growth and competitiveness.
- The Meloni government considers teamwork with Africa essential, “which for Italy is a priority,” he said.
- In this light, Minister Tajani upcoming trip to Mauritania, Senegal, and Niger next week should be seen as part of that strategic effort.
- Minister Tajani said Italy is continuing to work within the EU framework on trade, after U.S. President Donald Trump reposted a message suggesting PM Meloni wanted to break ranks with Europe and negotiate a separate trade deal for Italy.
