Germany and Italy are boosting their political partnership: Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized at the intergovernmental consultations in Rome that they would work together more closely in future, particularly on defense.
Specifically, this involves increased cooperation in the areas of security, defense and resilience. The two heads of government signed an agreement that includes more arms projects, joint military exercises and programs for military training and professional development. According to the seven-page accord, the aim of joint activities is to strengthen standardization and interoperability.
Both sides also plan to improve the competitiveness of European industry, particularly in the defense sector. The goal is to reduce fragmentation, advance standardization and interchangeability, and enhance interoperability among the armed forces. Both sides will also examine the potential for industrial cooperation and joint procurement.
The governments want to promote dialog between the defense industries of both countries. As part of this effort, both governments announced the establishment of a regular round table between representatives of their respective defense ministries and industry, with the first meeting taking place in Rome in the first half of 2026. Annual consultations between the defense and foreign ministries are also planned. The aim is to address “relevant international security and defense issues of common interest.”
Merz and Meloni also signed a new draft of the action plan agreed in 2023. This includes cooperation in the areas of internal security, migration and cultural heritage. However, the focus here is on strengthening the EU’s economic competitiveness. According to both governments, this is “still a high priority” for both sides. Germany and Italy have already submitted proposals for deepening the EU single market and reducing bureaucracy that will be presented at a special EU competitiveness summit on Feb. 12.
Germany and Italy have recently moved closer together than ever before. This was a point stressed by both Merz and Meloni at their joint press conference on Friday afternoon. Meloni said that this is good news “for our peoples and for Europe as a whole.” Instead of “infantilisms” in European politics, there is a need for “concreteness, responsibility and common sense in tackling common challenges.” Almut Siefert