During his mission to Brussels for the European Council focused on Ukraine and European defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani held a series of talks with several European Commissioners.
In particular, with the Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič, the Minister emphasised Italy’s priority to foster dialogue with the new US Administration to ensure free trade internationally and protect European businesses and exports. Tajani then outlined Italy’s strategy aimed at strengthening exports in various emerging markets and hoped that the EU would expand its network of free trade agreements with third countries. The Commissioner updated the Minister on his meetings in Washington this past February. Both interlocutors agreed on the need to maintain close coordination at the European level on the issue of tariffs, in a non-escalatory manner and with a focus on dialogue.
With the Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, the topic of European security was discussed, starting with the Rearm Europe programme presented by President Von der Leyen, and continuing with support for other EU policies focused on competitiveness and growth. Tajani expressed his appreciation for the possibility of activating the national safeguard clause in the Stability and Growth Pact and the creation of a new EU financial instrument. He reiterated that full complementarity and coherence with NATO are required, and that its European pillar must be strengthened. He also expressed the hope that the White Paper on the future of European defence would include a clear political strategy in this regard.
Finally, both interlocutors agreed on the importance of industrial cooperation with our allies, starting with the United States, to develop credible deterrence, and with the United Kingdom, which is an integral part of European security.