The Italian government, Meloni said in her pre-summit Parliamentary speech, arrives at the European Council “strong with a political stability rare in its republican history, with a renewed international role, and with solid economic and financial indicators that make it appreciated by analysts and attractive to investors.”
The speech came on October 22, marking the government’s third anniversary, making it the third-longest-serving cabinet in the history of the Republic and the first ever led by a woman.
Gaza and the Path to Peace. Meloni called the 20-point peace plan promoted by Donald Trump and signed in Sharm el-Sheikh “a success,” emphasising Italy’s contribution “with consistency and pragmatism.”
- She thanked the mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. She acknowledged “the extraordinary role of U.S. President Donald Trump,” which created “a credible prospect toward a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
- Italy’s PM stressed that the signing of the ceasefire “is the only path worth pursuing,” and that “Hamas must accept that it will have no role in the transitional governance and in the future Palestinian State.” She said Italy would recognise Palestine “once these conditions materialised.”
- Operationally, Italy aims to strengthen its role in humanitarian aid and security: “We are ready to contribute with our Carabinieri, who have long been present in Jericho, to train the Palestinian police, and to increase our personnel in the EU mission [EUBAM] for Rafah.” Italy also offered to co-host the Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo.
Ukraine: Resolve and Deterrence. Meloni reiterated Italy’s firm support for Kyiv and condemned Russian “cynicism,” which, she said, “did not stop even in front of United Nations humanitarian convoys.”
- She reaffirmed that “no decision on Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine, and no decision on European security can be taken without Europe.”
- The goal remains “a just peace, not born from oppression,” to be achieved through a credible negotiation process. Meloni made clear that “Italy does not plan to send its own troops into Ukrainian territory” but supports an assistance mechanism modelled on NATO’s Article 5 and stronger pressure on Moscow through the EU’s 19th sanctions package.
- The sanctions, she noted, “are not against the Russian people but against the regime that turns Russia’s wealth into weapons and destruction.”
European Defence and the Atlantic Bond. In the debate on Europe’s defence readiness, Italy supports the roadmap that Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas proposed. It insists that “all the borders of the Alliance have the same relevance.”
- Meloni reiterated that “the security of the Alliance’s external borders is indivisible” and emphasised the need to protect the southern flank—including the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East.
- She also called to “open a debate on making the Stability and Growth Pact’s flexibility permanent” for defence investments, reaffirming NATO’s centrality: “The goal remains to strengthen the European pillar of the Alliance, maintaining the transatlantic bond as an essential horizon.”
Green Transition and Technological Neutrality. Meloni challenged the European Commission’s proposal to revise the Climate Law, which sets a 90% emission reduction target by 2040, calling it “unreasonable and counterproductive.” Italy advocates an approach based on three pillars: realistic enabling conditions, technological neutrality, and adequate resources.
- “How can we be credible in the eyes of our international partners if we set ourselves unrealistic goals, even harmful ones, for those who want to do business in Europe?” she asked. Rome proposes to include sustainable biofuels and carbon capture as valid tools for decarbonization, noting that “electrification alone cannot be the future for cars or industry.”
Migration and the Mattei Plan. Italy will present a roadmap proposal to EU partners to review international migration conventions. Meloni asserted that “the Italian approach has now become the majority view in Europe,” based on “firmness against traffickers, cooperation with countries of origin and transit, and management of legal migration.”
- She added that the Mattei Plan for Africa “has become a model not only for the EU but also for individual European nations.”
In Meloni’s Words:
- On Italy’s role: “Italy can present itself in Europe with authority, thanks to political stability, economic solidity, and international credibility.”
- On Gaza: “The signing of the truce is the only path worth pursuing.”
- On Putin’s war: “No decision on Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine, and no decision on European security can be taken without Europe.”
- On green policy: “Electrification alone cannot be the future of cars; we must remain open to all solutions, such as sustainable biofuels.”
