Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a close ally of Italian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Edmondo Cirielli, has been receiving criticism for her shift in policies, particularly regarding illegal migration. However, Cirielli defended Meloni, saying that it is not she who has changed, but rather Europe. He stated that Italy is inspiring the European Union to adopt stronger conservative stances and that Meloni’s party, the Fratelli D’Italia Party, will lead the European Conservative Party in giving a new direction to Europe in the upcoming elections. Meloni has been taking action against illegal immigration, with support from European Union President Ursula von der Leyen.
Italy is facing a demographic crisis, with record-low birth rates in 2023. In response, Italy allocated around 1 billion Euros for measures aimed at addressing the declining birth rates and supporting young couples. Cirielli emphasized that this is not just an issue for Italy but for all of Western Europe. Additionally, the journey from North Africa to Italy has become a busy migration route, with migrant arrivals increasing by 50% in 2023. Italy, under the leadership of Meloni, is focused on signing accords with North African countries to prevent departures and addressing the root causes of migration through development initiatives.
Italy’s “Mattei Plan” for Africa aims to tackle education, training, agriculture, health, water, and energy development while making Italy an energy hub for natural gas supplies to the rest of Europe. The plan also emphasizes the need to combat criminal organizations behind the trafficking of migrants, which is fueling a new slave trade. Italy, as the current holder of the G-7 presidency, has condemned Iran’s actions and emphasized the need to prevent escalation in the region. The G-7 foreign ministers met on the Italian resort island of Capri and called for new sanctions against Iran while supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.
In December, Italy withdrew from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aimed to rebuild the Silk Road and expand China’s infrastructure spending. Cirielli stated that this move was not an interruption in Italy’s relationship with China but rather in the best interest of Italian trade. He explained that the previous agreement had been seen as inconsistent with Italy’s alliances and that the termination of the agreement was a natural progression towards establishing a new economic-social partnership. The opposition in Italy supported maintaining diplomatic and economic relations with China while opposing political relationships that may compromise Italy’s interests.
Overall, Italy, under the leadership of Prime Minister Meloni, is navigating a range of challenges including the demographic crisis, illegal migration, and international relations. Despite criticism from some quarters, Cirielli and others continue to support Meloni’s efforts in shaping Italy’s policies within the European Union and on the global stage. Italy’s proactive approach to addressing these issues through initiatives like the Mattei Plan and withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative reflects a commitment to safeguarding Italy’s interests while contributing to broader regional and global stability.
