Former Ilva site: Meloni says talks will begin in early September. Mattarella: a national commitment to Taranto

The working group on the former Ilva site at Palazzo Chigi “will reconvene in early September to examine the various expressions of interest submitted in recent weeks regarding the future structure of the plant”. So said the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, in a letter sent to the Prefect of Taranto, Ernesto Liguori, through whom requests have been received from trade associations in the Taranto area, asking me to chair a meeting on the former Ilva site whilst I am attending the opening ceremony of the Mediterranean Games. “At the same time, it is my intention to convene, again at Palazzo Chigi, a specific round-table discussion for the city of Taranto, with a view to assessing the potential for developing the area through business investment to complement the former Ilva site. I can assure you that maintaining a significant steel production capacity is regarded by the Government as an objective of national importance,” adds Meloni.

“I wish to express my particularly heartfelt thoughts of concern and solidarity to the inhabitants of the historic city of Taranto – guardian of a historical, cultural and artistic heritage of inestimable value – who have recently had to face dramatic challenges relating to employment and health, economic development and quality of life: these aspects of their situation constitute both a problem and a national commitment. The choice of Taranto as the venue for an international event such as the Mediterranean Games demonstrates the role the city plays within the Republic. The hope is that, starting with these Games, Taranto will once again ‘embrace the future’. This was emphasised by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in a message sent to the *Quotidiano di Puglia* ahead of the 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games.