GIORGIA MELONI, PRIME MINISTER, ITALY // LEADERS' VIEWS
A unified Italian approach to security, migration and geopolitical risk W e cannot afford for a regime of the Ayatollahs to have a
that respect Ukraine’s dignity and the solid- ity of the Euro-Atlantic axis. For real peace is not built in a vacuum: it can only be achieved by acting in unity with our allies, starting with Washington, whose mediation efforts we continue to firmly sup- port. Furthermore, Italy, within both the G7 and the EU, will continue to support economic pres-
unchanged: one thing is humanitarian protection, which must be reserved for those who truly need it, as we have most recently shown towards the Palestinian people; another thing is irregular immigra- tion, which must instead be discouraged, not only because it is problematic for the destination countries, but also because it jeopardises the lives and prospects of a dignified existence for the migrants themselves … We always pursue the same objective, and that objective alone; we always side with one interest, and that interest alone: that of Italy. A great nation, with its roots in the Mediterranean, its head in Europe and its heart with the West. We do so with pride and determination, every single day. And we have all the more reason to do so with determination in these very diffi- cult times. Address to the Senate on the European Council meeting and the Middle East crisis, 11 March 2026 Obviously, we know that uncontrolled migration flows put citizens’ security under pressure and, when exploited as a hybrid threat, even the stability of states. But that’s not all. It also affects the econ- omy, straining public resources and impacting labour markets. This weakens competitiveness by increasing uncer- tainty and social tensions. It also has links to energy, for we also have to face the fact that many flows come from unstable regions that are key to our energy supplies. Ultimately, all of this affects the quality of our democracies, for when citizens feel that important challenges are not gov- erned, they lose faith in institutions. And when trust erodes, people become more vulnerable to manipulation, including the malicious use of artificial intelligence. So, it’s not migration – it is migration, it is economy, it is democracy, it is compet- itiveness, it is energy, it is security. And if I take one of the other topics, I can link them all the same way … European Political Community Summit, 4 May 2026
nuclear weapon, com- bined moreover with missile capabilities that could soon be able to directly strike Italy and Europe. All the more so because such a sce- nario would mark the end of the interna- tional non-proliferation framework, giving rise to a nuclear arms race that would have dra- matic repercussions for global security …
sure on Russia, which stubbornly refuses to show concrete signs that would allow for progress to be made in the negotiation process … With regard to competitiveness and energy policies, … Italy adopted a stor- age and diversification strategy some time ago, linked to both supplies and sources, with an ongoing develop- ment of renewables, while also looking to new-generation nuclear power and, going forward, to the milestone of nuclear fusion … In the current geopolitical context, it is also crucial to strengthen our framework for international trade, along three lines of action. First: consolidating existing agreements, starting with the one with the United States … and with the recent EU-Mercosur agreement. Second: playing a proactive role in defining new agree- ments, starting with the historic one with India. Third: strengthening the principle of reciprocity – as the new Regulation commendably does, as it will stop agri- cultural products that have been treated with antibiotics and pesticides that are banned in the EU from entering the Euro- pean market … Now more than ever, there is broad consensus among Member States on the political line to follow on migration … It is clear to everyone that growing insta- bility may also mean new flows. In the face of such a risk, there is all the more reason for the Italian position to remain
First, we must work at the diplomatic level to check if, and when, there may be room for a return to diplomacy … Second, we must complete the pro- cess of ensuring the safety of the tens of thousands of Italians in the area and provide assistance to those who are stranded … Third, … we are providing Gulf coun- tries with air defence systems, as the other major European countries have done … Around 2,000 Italian soldiers are stationed in the Gulf … There are over 1,000 Italian soldiers in Lebanon, who are part of the United Nations UNIFIL mission … We are obviously also paying the utmost attention to the possible eco- nomic repercussions of this crisis. We have put in place all the tools to moni- tor price trends and combat any speculation … We will once again be discussing Ukraine. The conflict is now unfortu- nately in its fifth year. Over this long period of time, Italy’s position has never changed: Italy stands firmly with Kyiv, its people and its institutions, supporting its territorial integrity, sovereignty and inde- pendence … supporting Ukraine means defending the security of the European continent as a whole … We are aiming for shared solutions
14 // G7 FRANCE: THE ÉVIAN SUMMIT 2026
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