The visit confirmed the strategic alliance of Slovenia and Italy on all important European and global issues. During their meeting at Palazzo Chigi in Rome, the two leaders discussed how cooperation could be further strengthened for the benefit of citizens of both countries.
Prime Minister Golob highlighted two important areas of cooperation: energy and defense. He recalled that last winter, when there was a shortage of natural gas throughout Europe, Italy was the first to come to the aid of Slovenia with a solidarity agreement. Algerian gas delivered to Slovenia today transits through Italian territory. In the field of defense, cooperation between the military industries of the two countries is expected to begin. Last year, Italy was Slovenia’s third largest foreign trade partner. The volume of merchandise trade amounts to 12 billion euros. Trade in services, particularly tourism, and investment were equally important.
Regarding the migration issue, Golob reiterated Slovenia’s position of strong support for Schengen and the open borders policy. He said temporary border controls should not become a permanent feature and we must do everything we can to ensure border populations and the economy do not suffer. Slovenia wants to abolish border controls as quickly as possible. All other measures will be coordinated with Italy, as has been done so far.
Golob and Meloni also discussed the problems of the Slovenian national community in Italy and the Italian national community in Slovenia. Minorities on both sides of the border are a source of harmony and contribute significantly to good neighborly relations. Golob stressed that it is in our common interest to strengthen them, including financially. He said that he had received today very clear opinions in favor of the possibility for the Italian government to support the strengthening of funding for the Slovenian minority. The interlocutors also discussed the permanent representation of the Slovene minority in the Italian Parliament and the permanent representation in the Regional Council of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Slovenia and Italy also cooperate at the EU level on the most current foreign policy issues, such as easing the situation in the Middle East and supporting the European integration of the Western Balkan countries. At the European Council in December, Slovenia and Italy will therefore push for a decision to open accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina, alongside Ukraine and Moldova. As Prime Minister Golob said: “The integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU is a strategic interest of the Union. In this way, we will be able to stabilize the region and thus make our small contribution to peace on our continent in these years. very difficult times. »
Prime Minister Golob today also expressed his clear support for Italy’s humanitarian initiative for Gaza. “Italy has sent its hospital ship to the area and Slovenia will contribute to this initiative with its available resources. We believe that the sea route is one of the ways to help the unfortunate inhabitants of Gaza,” said the Slovenian Prime Minister.
Finally, the two officials discussed the opportunity for cooperation between the two countries offered by the European Capital of Culture 2025 initiative. He invited his colleague Meloni to the meeting on this occasion and stressed that all interlocutors of today had expressed their availability and their desire to cooperate in the project. “We all consider this a very important event to bring two countries and two peoples even closer,” concluded the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also had a working lunch with Slovenian Senator Tatjana Rojc. They discussed the need to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries, particularly for the benefit of the Slovenian national community in Italy. In the last part of the visit to Rome, the Prime Minister was also received by Ignazio La Russa, President of the Italian Senate, and Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Parliament. They confirmed the excellent relations between the two countries and exchanged views on the enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans, the fight against illegal immigration and the importance of minorities on both sides of the border.