The axis with the US

Meloni: Italia invited as observer to Board for Gaza, we will be there

PM at Addis Ababa summit: Merz criticism of Trump? I do not agree, but it is a complex phase

14 February 2026

La premier Giorgia Meloni all’assemblea dell’Unione africana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

"We have been invited as an observer country, in our opinion it is a good solution to the problem we clearly have of the compatibility also constitutional with the Board of Peace membership".

On the other hand, 'I have always said that with all the work that Italia has done, is doing and must do in the Middle East to stabilise a very complex and fragile situation, an Italian and also a European presence is necessary. So I think we will respond positively to this invitation to participate as an observer country, at what level we have yet to see, because the invitation arrived yesterday'.

This was stated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in Addis Ababa, responding to questions from Italian journalists on the Board meeting called by Donald Trump in Washington for next Thursday. Meloni was speaking on the sidelines of the African Union summit underway in the Ethiopian capital, on the day after the Italia-Africa summit chaired together with Ethiopian leader Abiy Ahmed and destined to mark the first two years of the so-called Mattei Plan: the strategy for the continent launched with the summit of the same name in early 2024.

Meloni: I do not share criticism of Merz at Maga line

Meloni, fresh from her speech at the African Union plenary, also spoke about the affront of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz against Donald Trump's line and the growing frost between Europe and the United States.

"No, I would say no (that I do not agree, ed). These are political evaluations, each leader makes them as he or she sees fit, but it is not an issue of interest, within the competence of the EU. These are party evaluations,' Meloni said, acknowledging the 'complexity' of the political phase and the need for a more autonomous EU.

'It is clear that we are in a very complex phase of international relations. We are also in a particular phase of relations between Europe and the United States,' Meloni said. I think Merz makes a correct assessment when he says that Europe must take care of itself, that it must do more, for example on security, on the European pillar of NATO. On this I agree, regardless - I tell you, as I have said so many times - of the relationship with the United States'. In absolute terms, the premier thinks that 'working on greater integration between Europe and the United States, that is, working to enhance what unites us rather than what can divide us, is very important for everyone, particularly for European countries'.

EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Suica goes to the Board of Peace

The European Commission will attend the Board of Peace meeting scheduled for 19 February in the USA with Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Suica. This was announced by the EU executive's spokeswoman. The intention is to participate in the discussion on Gaza and not to support the Board of Peace. The meetings - as we understand it - were originally supposed to be two, one on Gaza and one of the Board of Peace itself, but apparently they should eventually be merged into one. Some 20 delegations are expected in Washington. The United States - again according to reports - lobbied hard for Europe to be better represented.