Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set for an official visit to Athens where she will meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The key topics on the agenda include immigration issues, reforms in the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) of the European Union, and the upcoming European elections.
European media platform Euractiv suggests that, with the European elections on the horizon, Mitsotakis could serve as a possible bridge between the European People’s Party (EPP), of which he is a member, and the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament, to which Meloni’s far-right party “Brothers of Italy” belongs.
Both leaders are expected to delve into the challenges of combating irregular immigration flows, particularly from North Africa in Italy’s case, and the Balkan route concerning Greece. Reforming the Stability and Growth Pact within the EU will also be discussed, as both countries share overlapping interests and could potentially form a unified front on the European stage.
Carlo Fidanza, a member of the European Parliament and leader of the “Brothers of Italy” in the European Parliament, stated that Meloni’s priority is to strengthen an “already fruitful and very positive relationship” with a “friendly government” that shares “similar strategic European policies,” especially concerning European energy supplies.
However, Fidanza clarified that the talks in Athens would focus solely on national issues and not on the European elections scheduled for June 2024. “To start talking about alliances, we first have to wait for the election results. If conditions are favorable for building something together, we certainly expect Mitsotakis to move in the same direction,” Fidanza told Euractiv.
Fidanza also mentioned that due to her good relations with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Meloni could act as a mediator in easing Greek-Albanian tensions, although this issue is not on the table at the moment. “If Meloni is asked to play this role, she will undoubtedly do her utmost, thanks to the excellent personal relationships she has established” with Rama, Fidanza affirmed.
This visit underscores the increasing importance of Italy and Greece within the European landscape. As the EU grapples with immigration and economic challenges, the dialogue between Meloni and Mitsotakis could set the stage for significant policy shifts and alliances.
It’s worth noting that Rome hosted a mini African-Mediterranean summit this past July, marking the culmination of 9 months of rigorous diplomatic endeavors. The objective was to create a shared charter focusing on illegal immigration, a core concern for Italy’s far-right parties for years. This issue has topped the priorities of successive Italian governments since the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing economic and social ramifications. The problem has also been a point of contention and diplomatic crises between Rome and its European partners on multiple occasions.
Ever since her tenure began, Meloni has put significant weight behind addressing this central issue, which has long been a focal point in Italian political discourse. The far-right’s stance on immigration has largely been the catalyst for Meloni’s rapid rise to power. Recent numbers make it clear that illegal immigration is spiraling out of control, thereby requiring a cooperative approach involving Italy’s neighbors and partners.
Recent data from the International Organization for Migration indicates a dramatic increase in the number of illegal immigrants reaching Italian shores. Since the beginning of this year, over 83,000 undocumented migrants have arrived in Italy, compared to 34,000 in the entire previous year.
The numbers demonstrate the urgent need for Italy to come to an agreement with its European partners and neighbors for a joint approach to tackle this escalating situation. Failing to do so could result in an even more severe crisis, heightening tensions within the EU and complicating diplomatic relations further.
