Overview
- Giorgia Meloni and Friedrich Merz met in Rome and announced signed protocols and joint declarations reinforcing a bilateral alliance across security, industry and energy.
- The package establishes closer defense coordination, including institutionalized 2+2 meetings of foreign and defense ministers, streamlined movement of troops and equipment, and continued support for Ukraine.
- Rome and Berlin will present a shared competitiveness agenda to EU leaders on February 12, featuring plans to cut bureaucracy and modernize EU legislative processes.
- The partners back simplified state‑aid rules and a proposed European competitiveness fund, alongside firm‑level ties such as Leonardo’s collaboration with Rheinmetall.
- Energy and trade feature prominently, with intentions to develop hydrogen infrastructure linking North Africa to Europe and a push for faster EU free‑trade deals with India, Australia, the UAE and ASEAN.