Germany and Italy intensify partnership

2026-01-23 22:39:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

"New impetus" for the economy and a "committed migration policy": German Chancellor Merz and Italian Prime Minister Meloni advance their countries' cooperation.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after German-Italian government consultations in Rome, stressed the will for closer cooperation between the two countries. Germany and Italy are for a "committed migration policy" and to bring a "new impetus" to the economy, Merz said at a press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. According to him, a "new dynamic" in cooperation between the two countries' arms industries is also aimed at.

Merz praised the partnership between Italy and Germany. "We were able to see that Germany and Italy in 2026 are closer than ever before in our shared history." "There is a very high degree of agreement between Germany and Italy in assessing the challenges we face together."

"Even more ambitious goals"

Meloni stressed that Germany and Italy have set themselves "even more ambitious goals." Regarding the common defense policy, referring to the US government under President Donald Trump, Meloni said that Merz and she are of the same opinion that European countries should not ask "what others can do for us, but what we can do."

Merz previously explained on Platform X that Germany and Italy are "closer than ever before" and are working "for a united Europe and a strong NATO."

"No hierarchy"

Merz does not see the partnership with Italy as a competition to the Franco-German relationship. "For Germany, there is no hierarchy in relations," the chancellor stressed. "We are happy for every country with which we have such close partnership relations, just like with France and Italy. We know that only together can we walk the path to this European Union."

There has been speculation in recent days that Merz may in the future give priority to cooperation with the right-wing Italian prime minister over French President Emmanuel Macron. Recently, there have been different positions between Berlin and Paris on various issues. The two countries have been closely linked since 1963 through the Franco-German Friendship Treaty. These two countries are also considered the "motor" within the EU./ DW