Scholz receives Meloni for government consultations
The German and Italian governments are meeting today for joint consultations for the first time since 2016. The meeting of ministers at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin will be chaired by Federal Chancellor Olaf Schoz (SPD) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
"Action plan" to deepen relations
According to the German government, a joint "action plan" is to be signed. This had already been agreed in December 2021 with Meloni's predecessor Mario Draghi in order to deepen relations between the two countries.
The idea followed a previous friendship treaty signed between Italy and France with the aim of both countries working more closely together on topics such as the economy, security and migration policy. Details on the specific content of the planned German-Italian agreement were not disclosed in advance.
Dispute over migration policy
Meloni and her right-wing nationalist party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) have governed the country together with the conservative Forza Italia party and the right-wing populist Lega since the end of October 2022. The politician came to power with the promise of getting irregular immigration under control. In fact, more boat refugees are likely to arrive in Italy via the Mediterranean this year than ever before.
There had recently been a dispute with Berlin over German financial aid for non-governmental organizations that rescue boat migrants from the Mediterranean in order to bring them ashore in Italy. Meloni complained about this in a letter to Scholz in September.
More conciliatory tones again in the meantime
At the beginning of October, after a long dispute, the EU states agreed on a common position on the so-called crisis regulation in the planned European asylum reform. This was followed by a more conciliatory tone between Germany and Italy. At a meeting between Scholz and Meloni on October 6 on the fringes of an informal EU summit in Granada, Spain, both referred to the "excellent cooperation" between Berlin and Rome, according to Meloni's official residence.
Government consultations - i.e. meetings between the heads of government and several ministers from both sides - only take place with close partner countries or countries that are particularly important for Germany, such as China, India or Brazil. The most recent meeting with the Italian government took place seven years ago in Maranello in northern Italy.
Video link with Putin
But things are likely to get interesting even before that: Scholz will welcome Meloni to the Chancellery shortly before 1.00 pm. Both will then join the virtual conference of G20 heads of state and government to conclude the Indian presidency. According to Moscow state television, Russian President Vladimir Putin will also take part. It is possible that he will be able to see Western heads of state live in online format for the first time in a long time.
At the last G20 presence summits after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, Putin was represented by his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned the need for dialogue with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding migration policy during their meetings, as tensions arose over Germany's financial aid for NGOs rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean.
Despite the dispute, both leaders were expected to participate in a joint video conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a potential first for Putin to directly engage with Western leaders via an online format since the commencement of the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Source: www.dpa.com
