IRIA News

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House as both leaders agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries.

The joint statement released by the White House stated that “The ties between Italy and the United States are rooted in history, cultural affinity, and economic cooperation. They are founded on our shared values and principles – democracy, freedom, respect for human rights – reinforced by the shared objective to promote peace and security, enhance prosperity, and advance sustainability all around the globe.”

Both leaders agreed to continue coordination, including within multilateral fora, on issues to advance global prosperity, inclusive growth, and peace and security.

The United States and Italian leaders also noted the vital importance of shared efforts to “promote stability and prosperity in the wider Mediterranean region, including by addressing the root causes of instability, terrorism, and irregular migration flows.”

The statement added that both countries also reaffirmed their shared commitment to the security, stability, and prosperity of the Western Balkans and their longstanding support for the region’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

I look forward to continuing to build on the close relationship between the United States and Italy. pic.twitter.com/IL72p2LWQT

— President Biden (@POTUS) July 29, 2023

Strengthening NATO and Enhancing Support for Ukraine

U.S. President Biden and Italian Prime Minister Meloni discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations as well as discussed NATO’s role in strengthening transatlantic bonds and addressing challenges from all strategic directions, including NATO’s Southern Flank.

Biden and Meloni also recognized the need to address the global consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war. The joint statement highlighted the importance of “enabling Ukraine to export food via the Black Sea and condemn Russia’s unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has been instrumental in reducing world food prices, and its attacks on Ukrainian grain storage and transport infrastructure.”

According to the White House statement, “The United States and Italy will continue to provide political, military, financial, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine for as long as it takes, with the aim to reach a just and lasting peace that fully respects the UN Charter and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Meloni said during a press briefing, “After the Russian aggression against Ukraine, for all together we decided to defend the international law. And I’m proud that Italy, from the beginning, played its part in it. We did it simply because supporting Ukraine means defending the peaceful coexistence of people and states everywhere in the world… Those who believe in peace should be the first supporters of the Ukrainian cause.”

Indo-Pacific Security

During their meeting, Biden and Meloni also discussed the security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and reaffirmed their commitment to “a free, open, prosperous, inclusive, and secure Indo-Pacific.” The U.S. also welcomed the increased presence of Italy in the region.

According to the joint statement, “The two sides reiterate the vital importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which is instrumental to regional and global security and prosperity.”

“The United States and Italy also commit to strengthening bilateral and multilateral consultations on the opportunities and challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China,” the statement added.

Trade and Investment

U.S. President Biden and Italian Prime Minister Meloni committed to advance work to “evolve the multilateral development banks to make them more responsive to shared global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and conflict and fragility, including through implementation of critical financial reforms begun under Italy’s leadership in the G20 and a review of the climate finance architecture to make it more effective and efficient.”

According to the joint statement, “The United States welcomes the participation of Italy in the Minerals Security Partnership and its intention to join the steering committee of the Blue Dot Network,” and Italy’s bid to host the World Expo in 2030, “acknowledging the opportunity of using the Expo as an inclusive platform to find shared solutions to common challenges.”

Biden and Meloni also expressed their support for the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. “Both sides also stress their support for the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment,” the statement added.

While speaking during a press briefing with the U.S. president, Meloni highlighted that “Italy and the United States have important common interests in enhancing… global trade that is not only free but also fair.” She also stated that both countries will manage competition with “other nations that do not meet our standards in terms of worker protection, safety, environmental protection undermine our companies and workers.”

The White House statement highlighted that “The United States and Italy recognize that economic resilience requires de-risking, diversifying, and reducing excessive dependencies to build resilient and secure supply chains.”

Both leaders also underlined the importance of “strengthening transatlantic economic cooperation, including through the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council and the U.S.-EU Energy Council,” to enhance security, secure energy supplies, and avoid fossil fuel dependencies, as well as to “secure supplies of critical minerals, and ensure that technologies work for – not against – democracies, and create opportunities for growth, jobs, and public welfare.”

U.S. President Biden told Meloni that “the United States looks forward to Italy’s leadership of the G7 in 2024, where the G7 will increase efforts to accelerate the clean energy transition, and tackle pressing global challenges, including the climate crisis, poverty, food insecurity, economic security, critical mineral supplies, and migration, further engaging in dialogue and cooperation on all these issues with developing countries.”

The Italian prime minister thanked President Biden for his hospitality and stated that “this closeness is based on common values and cultural roots.” She posted on her Twitter that the meeting with the U.S. president was an “important occasion to reaffirm the deep friendship that unites Italy and the USA and to discuss common strategic interests.”