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Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, used a visit to the African Union complex in Addis Ababa to set out Rome’s twin foreign-policy aims: preserving the transatlantic alliance and deepening strategic ties with African states. She positioned Italy as a bridge between Europe and Africa while rejecting any framing that pits cooperation against confrontation.
Meloni acknowledged the complexity of contemporary global relations and addressed criticism from European figures, including German chancellor Friedrich Merz. She argued for stronger European strategic autonomy but emphasised that autonomy must not mean breaking with the transatlantic alliance.
Defending transatlantic ties without sidelining european sovereignty
Continuing from her insistence that autonomy must not sever ties with Washington, Meloni framed her argument around two clear priorities. Europe should strengthen its own defence capabilities while preserving the transatlantic alliance.
She urged increased investment in European security. That includes bolstering the European pillar of NATO to make the continent more resilient. At the same time, she argued for deeper cooperation with the United States.
Meloni acknowledged calls for Europe to shoulder more of its defence burden. She accepted the critique that Europe must do more for its own security. Yet she cautioned against language that treats relations with Washington as irreparably damaged.
She rejected broad, partisan critiques of American political culture. Meloni said sweeping judgments about MAGA political culture belong to domestic debate in the United States, not to EU institutions. That stance aligns with Rome’s wider aim of avoiding public rows that could harden diplomatic divisions.
The emphasis was practical. Meloni sought to highlight shared interests with the United States rather than amplify political differences. Her message stressed cooperation on capability building while keeping the transatlantic partnership central.
Engagement with the united states: the board for gaza and diplomatic choreography
Her message stressed cooperation on capability building while keeping the transatlantic partnership central. Italy confirmed its intention to participate as an observer in the Board for Gaza convened by President Donald Trump in Washington on 19 February. The government framed observer status as a pragmatic response to constitutional and legal limits that restrict Italy’s full membership in certain international bodies.
The choice signals Rome’s willingness to engage in Middle East stabilisation efforts while preserving domestic legal and political guardrails. Officials said the move aims to balance active involvement with respect for parliamentary and constitutional procedures.
Rome also indicated it will seek coordination with other European partners before the Washington meeting. The final decision on representation—whether the prime minister or the foreign minister will attend—will be taken after consultations with EU counterparts and relevant domestic authorities.
A careful diplomatic line
Italian diplomats described the approach as calibrated and cautious. By taking an observer role, Rome gains access to discussions and intelligence without committing to binding decisions that could trigger legal scrutiny at home. Government sources said the arrangement will allow Italy to convey its concerns and to align its contributions with EU positions.
Officials expect preparatory talks with European allies in the coming days. The precise agenda items Italy will press at the meeting were not disclosed. The government said it would provide further details following the coordination process with partners and after internal consultations on legal implications.
After internal consultations and coordination with partners, Rome attended the White House meeting as an observer. This stance allowed Italy to retain influence while avoiding the appearance of unconditional alignment.
A renewed focus on africa: cooperation, migration and the plan mattei
Alongside its transatlantic engagement, the government used the Africa summit to advance a broader Italy–Africa strategy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni co‑presided the Italy–Africa meeting with Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed and emphasised practical cooperation on trade, infrastructure and migration management.
She portrayed cooperation as a relationship of equals and presented the Plan Mattei as a vehicle for targeted investment in energy, transport and vocational training. The plan, she said, is designed to align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and to offer concrete projects rather than open‑ended commitments.
The plan, she said, is designed to align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and to offer concrete projects rather than open‑ended commitments. Migration emerged next as a central theme. She argued that tackling the root causes of irregular departures requires creating viable local opportunities through targeted investments, vocational training and industrial partnerships that can generate sustainable jobs. She summed up the approach as promoting the right not to migrate by enabling people to stay and prosper at home. Targeted investment and skills development featured as the primary tools to reduce displacement pressures.
Debt relief and long-term stability
Financial measures followed the migration proposals. She described Italy’s program to convert portions of African sovereign debt into development projects and to add suspension clauses for countries hit by climatic shocks. These debt-conversion initiatives were presented as steps toward economic resilience and greater political independence for partner governments. She framed the measures as practical, project-based alternatives to traditional lending that can free resources for social and climate adaptation priorities.
Meloni’s diplomatic thread: three linked objectives
Giorgia Meloni’s visit pursues three clear goals: prevent a transatlantic rupture, strengthen Europe’s capacity to act, and deepen Italy’s concrete partnerships with African states.
Domestically, opposition parties have criticised the trip as leaning toward the Trump administration. Rome rejects that characterisation, saying engagement with both Washington and African capitals advances Italian and European interests.
What comes next
The strategy’s success depends on coordinated follow‑up in Brussels, NATO capitals and Washington, and on how investment and migration policies progress in partner countries.
For now, Meloni frames her approach as prioritising connection: cooperation over division, and strategic autonomy as a complement—not a replacement—of transatlantic ties.