Politics Germany and Italy intensify cooperation
Germany and Italy want to significantly expand their cooperation in the areas of defense and economic competitiveness. A total of eight agreements were signed at a meeting between the two governments in Rome led by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Among other things, new armaments projects and joint exercises by the armed forces are to be initiated.
23.01.2026, 15:10
SDA
The expansion of relations comes at a time when things are not going so well between Germany and France - particularly in the field of armaments. The FCAS air combat system planned by Berlin, Paris and Madrid is on the brink of collapse. In the area of trade policy, France had opposed the conclusion of an EU free trade agreement with Latin America. After some hesitation, Italy then cleared the way, for which Merz expressed his gratitude.
Meeting in the "vestibule of difficult loves"
The meeting will take place in the Villa Pamphilj, where Italy receives important state guests. Before the government consultations, Merz and Meloni met in private in the "Vestibolo degli amori difficili", the "Vestibule of Difficult Loves". However, the relationship between the CDU Chancellor and the head of government from the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) is anything but strained. On the contrary: the two have continued to expand their cooperation in the first nine months.
Among other things, Germany and Italy now want to examine joint projects in the production of drones, air and missile defense, naval vessels and underwater systems as well as electronic warfare and air combat systems. A new version of a planned action plan agreed in 2023 was also signed. This includes cooperation in areas ranging from internal security and migration to cultural heritage.
German-Italian proposals for the EU summit
With a view to a special EU summit on economic competitiveness on February 12, Germany and Italy had already taken the initiative and developed proposals to deepen the EU single market with its approximately 450 million consumers. This includes shortening approval procedures and eliminating legislation. In the past, such initiatives often came from Germany and France as the "engine" of the EU.
Merz and Meloni are considered to understand Trump
Merz and Meloni had already spent Thursday evening together at the EU summit in Brussels, where the most important topic following the temporary escalation of the Greenland conflict was how to proceed in relations with the USA. The two are among the European heads of government with the best connections to US President Donald Trump.
The "traffic light" coalition under Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had already agreed an action plan for closer cooperation with Italy during government consultations in November 2023. During his inaugural visit to Rome in May, Merz promised to raise this "to a new level of ambition".
There are regular government consultations between Rome and Berlin - as there are with other important partner countries. This time, almost two dozen ministers were involved.
Meloni has been in government for more than three years
Meloni has been at the head of a coalition of three right-wing and conservative parties since October 2022. In the meantime, her government has lasted longer than almost any other government in post-war Italy. The next regular parliamentary election will take place next year. Meloni and her party are ahead in all polls.
