The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, is in Slovenia, on behalf of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to participate in the Summit of the Southern European Union countries – “MED9” (Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, and Slovenia).
The MED9 format was established in 2016 from a Greek initiative as “Med7” – later expanded to MED9 in 2021 with Croatia and Slovenia – with the aim of fostering more effective and direct political cooperation between the countries in the region.
In addition to developments in Gaza – the topic of the working luncheon attended by King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan – the main items on the agenda also include strengthening the competitiveness of the EU economy.
The event, hosted by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, sees the participation of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Following the MED Dialogues in Naples, which for the first time since the ceasefire in Gaza saw the joint presence of the Israeli and Palestinian Foreign Ministers, Minister Tajani will reaffirm Italy’s commitment to supporting dialogue between the peoples of the Mediterranean and a prominent role for the European Union in promoting peace, stability, and development in its neighbouring countries and the rest of the world.
With specific reference to competitiveness, the Foreign Minister will reaffirm Italy’s support for a dedicated European Fund, the completion of the single market, a European defence industry, increased investment in the sector, and a single capital market, all within the framework of a non-ideological approach to climate transition.
In the discussion on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, Minister Tajani will reaffirm the need to ensure adequate attention and resources both for the traditional pillars of European policies, starting with agriculture and cohesion, and for the challenges that place the Mediterranean countries on the front line in safeguarding the Union’s common interests, in areas such as managing migration flows, energy security, and Europe’s defence.
