Summit

Italy-Germany, Meloni: 'On competitiveness the EU changes step. Merz: we will defend ourselves against tariffs

In the protocol Rome and Berlin pledge to 'coordinate a joint response to Euro-Atlantic security threats'

by Rome Editorial Staff

23 January 2026

Meloni accoglie Merz per il vertice intergovernativo Italia-Germania

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

"Italy and Germany are now closer than ever. This is good news for our peoples and for Europe as a whole," said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in joint statements to the press together with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after the Italy-Germany intergovernmental summit. Merz in turn emphasised that 'at the last European summit there was a very strong convergence between Italy and Germany: the EU must strengthen the competitiveness of industries and do more for security'.

Merz: EU will defend itself against tariffs with all possible tools

"We will defend ourselves with all possible instruments. Countries around the world know that we are ready to defend ourselves,' then said the German Chancellor. "We are able," he added, "to convene the extraordinary European Council and the action shown this week is a demonstration of what we can do. What was threatened by Trump did not happen. We have to be united and react in real time. Meloni and I are two prime ministers who firmly believe that we do everything we can for the European Union'. And again: We can make trade agreements with countries that think like us on market opening'.

Meloni: we adhere to the agreement between Europeans on arms exports

'Our production systems can make a contribution to the construction of the European pillar of the Atlantic Alliance that we have been calling for for so many years without making any progress and act accordingly. To this end,' announced Meloni, 'I have informed Chancellor Merz of the Italian decision to join the multilateral agreement that already exists between Germany, France, Spain, and Great Britain on arms exports.

Meloni: I trust Trump, I hope we can give him the Nobel Peace Prize

Responding to a reporter's question Meloni said: 'I hope that we can give the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump and I trust that he can also make a difference on a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, and then finally we too can nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize'.

Meloni: from Rome and Berlin pragmatic and not instinctive approach with the US

Asked whether the strengthening of German-Italian relations is also in a defensive function with respect to Donald Trump's attitudes towards Europe, the prime minister replied: 'I wouldn't say so'. Clarifying: "Our will to cooperate with the US remains strong, Italy and Germany are among the nations in Europe that have privileged relations with the US, given also by the fact that there are American bases in their countries, and they can help in this relationship, particularly if they work together also thanks to a pragmatic and not instinctive approach to relations with the US".

The Cooperation Agreement

The harmony between Rome and Berlin was reflected in the agreement on enhanced cooperation on security, defence and resilience that was signed, which includes a commitment to "coordinate a joint response to Euro-Atlantic security threats" and "strengthen NATO's European pillar to further enhance NATO's deterrence and defence posture". In the agreement, which "is not legally binding and does not constitute an international treaty", Rome and Berlin reaffirm their full commitment to "strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence and promoting the EU's defence readiness".

"Fundamental US-European link with shared interests"

In the Protocol on a German-Italian Action Plan for Bilateral and EU Strategic Cooperation, Rome and Berlin 'reconfirm the fundamental importance of a strong transatlantic link between Europe and the United States, based on common values and shared interests' and commit 'to respect international law, including the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty'. The two governments also share "the responsibility, as founding states of the European Union, to work to promote European integration, enabling the EU to act effectively to protect European values and interests".

Collaboration on migrants, including innovative solutions

The governments of Rome and Berlin agree "to further develop a comprehensive and innovative approach to migration, combining enhanced external action and internal aspects, mutually beneficial comprehensive partnerships with countries of origin and transit, more effective protection of the EU's external borders and intensified returns, while respecting international and EU law". Italy and Germany will continue 'dialogue and coordination on migration', building on 'the existing six-monthly consultation mechanism', focusing 'on the implementation of the new EU pact on migration and asylum, on possible joint projects and on EU cooperation with third countries, including on innovative solutions. We will also cooperate on the assessment of travel documents, crisis response, returns and returns, as needed'.