Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani will take part tomorrow in the Italy–Germany Summit, co-chaired by the two Heads of Government, at Villa Doria Pamphilj. On the sidelines, the following events are scheduled: bilateral meetings with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and with the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche; the opening of the Italy–Germany Business Forum at the Parco dei Principi Hotel; and the first ministerial “2+2” meeting bringing together the Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers of Italy and Germany, to be held at the Farnesina.
For Italy, the Business Forum with Germany represents a strategic appointment. Germany is Italy’s leading trading partner, the primary destination for Italian exports, and the main supplier, with bilateral trade exceeding EUR 150 billion annually. The Forum will provide an opportunity to support Italian companies and to discuss—through sector-specific panels dedicated to advanced industry (with a focus on automotive, steel, and pharmaceuticals), infrastructure and connectivity, energy, defense, security, and aerospace—how to enhance the competitiveness of the highly integrated Italian and German industries. The Business Forum, which will also include B2B meetings, will conclude with addresses by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Tajani and Wadephul will also discuss European issues such as competitiveness, the Multiannual Financial Framework currently under negotiation and related reforms, as well as EU–US trade relations. Tajani will reaffirm to his counterparts the strategic objective of further strengthening relations with Berlin at both the bilateral and European levels, within the framework of this year’s 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The agenda will also include a discussion on Greenland, during which the head of Italian diplomacy will reiterate the need for dialogue and de-escalation with the United States.
At the ministerial “2+2” meeting between Ministers Tajani and Crosetto and their German counterparts, discussions will focus on coordination between Rome and Berlin in the field of European defense, with a view to strengthening NATO’s European pillar by mobilising the necessary resources. The agenda will also include discussions on diplomatic, financial, and military support for Ukraine, as well as the shared commitment in the Middle East.
