The Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Development, Maria Tripodi, attended the “German-Italian Young Leaders Dialogue – Spinelli Forum”, held at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in Milan, along with her German counterpart, Anna Luhrmann, Minister of State for Europe and Climate. The Undersecretary was attending on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani.
In her address to the audience of young Italians and Germans, the Undersecretary underscored that the European Union is facing multiple challenges to which it must respond. And their future depends on that response. “Not only the European continent but the entire international community is at a crossroads. It can either actively support our democratic institutions and a rules-based international order, or fall into the temptation to take cover in an authoritarian model”, said the Undersecretary. “Democracy is a precious asset that nobody wants to relinquish, but just wanting it isn’t enough. Democracy entails the commitment of each and every one of us. Italy and Germany must continue in their united response to the challenges that Europe needs to address, first and foremost the drama of the war against Ukraine”.
“We must go on providing our support to Ukraine, which has become the symbolic trench between a free Europe and authoritarianism”, added Undersecretary Tripodi as she stressed the need to continue to send help to Ukraine, including weapons.
The Undersecretary then exhorted Europe to take a coordinated approach to ensure that our continent can obtain energy at sustainable prices. “There are sensitivities between Italy and Germany on the ‘price cap’, but we share a fundamental common goal: the energy transition and collaboration in developing renewables, in which our countries can be complementary”.
The Undersecretary concluded by noting that the challenge of our times and of the new generations is to play our part, including through occasions such as the Spinelli Forum, in strengthening our common institutions. A first step would be the creation of a common army and political union.
Undersecretary Tripodi then had a meeting with Minister Anna Lurhmann. The meeting was a fruitful opportunity to recognise the intense and excellent bilateral relations in the political, economic, cultural and scientific spheres.