Italy’s Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Maria Tripodi attended the Ministerial Meeting of MED9 Countries, the informal group of Mediterranean EU member states, that took place in Madrid. The meeting focused on strengthening institutional, energy and migration cooperation between the EU and its Southern Neighbourhood. “The interdependence between Europe and the southern shore of the Mediterranean is deep and extremely complex. It is therefore a priority to turn this interdependence into a driver for stability and prosperity,” said the Undersecretary, stressing the need to ensure adequate financial resources for Southern neighbours, also in order to address the new challenges of migration. “As far as energy is concerned,” Tripodi continued, “Italy is consolidating its role as an energy hub in Europe, acting as a bridge between North Africa and the EU across the Mediterranean, favouring partnerships with African countries, as demonstrated by the Mattei Plan, the Climate Fund, 70% of which is dedicated to Africa, and the Rome process. Finally, the Undersecretary recalled how, precisely in order to find new forms of cooperation and dialogue with the Partners in the Southern Neighbourhood, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, last October had suggested to High Representative Borrell and Commissioner Várhelyi that a Mediterranean macroregion be created.
New developments in the Middle East were also addressed during the meeting. The Undersecretary highlighted Italy’s humanitarian commitment. Lastly, Tripodi emphasised the importance of the truce, obtained through great diplomatic efforts, and the crucial need to begin a joint reflection on the post-war period in Gaza immediately, so that a credible political perspective can be ensured for the Palestinian people.