Immediately erase from memory the Giorgia Meloni of 2014, the one who in the squares took it out on the excessive power of the Franco-German axis and threatened Italy's exit from the Euro. Now the film is totally different. Of course, even today there are references to the national interest and the needs of Italian citizens, but the former Meloni's trip to Brussels it served to ease any tension and open a constructive dialogue with the European institutions.
Meloni in Brussels: whirlwind of meetings, focus on energy and gas price ceiling
Prime Minister Meloni wanted to get the message across that the new government is not made up of dangerous Martians. “Seeing each other up close helps change the narrative made about me and the Italian government“ says the new premier who adds: ”We are not MartiansWe are people of flesh and blood. And on the other hand it seems to me that there were people who wanted to listen”. Meloni confesses that his first visit to the European institutions "served to give the signal of an Italy that wants to participate, collaborate and defend the national interest within the EU dimension together with the other countries".
In the end Meloni, after a day that began with breakfast with the commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, continued with meetings with the presidents of the European Parliament, Robert Metsol and the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and concluded with a working dinner with the President of the EU Council, Charles Michel, the balance can be considered substantially positive. “It seems to me – said the premier – that a very frank, very positive dialogue has been created. I'm happy with how this day went in which I brought the Italian point of view. There is a need to give concreteness to the solution as soon as possible energy crisisae on ceiling on the price of gas".
Meloni in Brussels: Ukraine crisis, migrants, Def on the table
In other words, a frank dialogue without prejudice will serve to give more strength to Italy's voice, aware of the role we have played as a driving force behind European architecture. In the appointments already fixed by Brussels, the new Government will present itself with a first-rate team that was already seen in action yesterday. Meloni was joined yesterday by profound connoisseurs of all European dossiers: from Ukraine to energy to the economic crisis. First of all, the new Minister of Community Policies, Raffaele Fitto with the new diplomatic advisor Marco Canaparo (former spokesman of the Italian Representation in Brussels). Then the ambassador to the EU, Piero Benassi and the new diplomatic advisor of Palazzo Chigi, Francesco Talò, until yesterday permanent representative to NATO in Brussels, i.e. one of the greatest connoisseurs of Ukraine file.
If the conversation with Gentiloni mainly concerned i economic topics and the questions relating to the update note to the Def and the reform of the Stability Pact, with Metsola, von der Leyen and Michel the topics ranged from the Ukrainian crisis to energy. Also in the background is the recent dispute with exchanges of accusations between Rome and Berlin over the rescue of some migrants in the Sicilian channel. But above all with Metsola (who had counted for his election on the votes of MEPs from Fdi and Lega) there would have been good chemistry and full harmony on the migrant issue that Metsola knows well as a Maltese regarding the lack of solidarity of the Northern countries with the countries of first arrival and the redistribution of asylum seekers. A reference to the European rules on migrants also reiterated by the new Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani yesterday in Germany for the G7 Foreign Affairs.
Meloni counts on Giorgetti and Tajani in Europe
Above all, Meloni understood that Italy needs Europe today more than ever. The energy crisis, high bills and the economic crisis in fact impose shared choices at European level along the lines of what former Prime Minister Mario Draghi already achieved at the last European Council to set a ceiling on the price of gas. The mole is also busy with the economic dossiers Economy Minister Giorgetti who, not surprisingly, chose Germany as the first stage of his European tour. The dialogue between Meloni, Tajani and Giorgetti is constant and will be even more so in the coming weeks when it comes to making some decisions concerning various top positions in Italian diplomacy.
Tajani confirms Di Maio's team for now, but is preparing a round of nominations
For now, Tajani has confirmed the team inherited from Di Maio. It remained in place of him as chief of staff Luca Sabatucci even if he is already designated to hold the post of ambassador to the OECD in Paris. The term of office of the current general secretary, Ettore Sequi, will also expire in March. For his rotation, his names are not lacking, starting with that of Armando Varricchio, former ambassador in Washington and now in Berlin after having held the role of diplomatic adviser to the former prime minister, Matteo Renzi. But the current UN ambassador to Geneva, Gianlorenzo Cornado and the current ambassador to Washington, Mariangela Zappia, would also aspire to the position of top head of the Farnesina.
Il waltz tour diplomat will also fully involve Brussels. For the Talo's replacement at Nato the name that you hear most insistently is that of the ambassador Pasquale Ferrara, current director general for political and security affairs. In March 2023, a replacement for Benassi (who will retire) will then have to be chosen as a representative to the EU. At the Farnesina, any possible conflict between Meloni's new diplomatic adviser, Talò, and the sherpa for the G20 Luca Ferrari, current ambassador in Beijing, is also minimized.
Many countries have foreseen these two distinct figures for some time and the Gentiloni government itself had appointed an ad hoc sherpa for the G20 with Raffaele Trombetta to work alongside diplomatic advisor Zappia. Tajani could also include non-diplomatic personnel such as his former spokesman in Strasbourg on his staff Charles Corazza while for party issues Forza Italia has already chosen Daniela Subranni, former press officer of Alfano both at the Viminale and at the Farnesina.
