Italy’s Meloni has a message for Brussels: I’m here! Von der Leyen welcomes Giorgia Meloni скачать в хорошем качестве

Italy’s Meloni has a message for Brussels: I’m here! Von der Leyen welcomes Giorgia Meloni

Italy's far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni started a series of meetings with EU chiefs in Brussels on Thursday, with her commitment to European unity in the spotlight. The trip by the nationalist leader -- her first internationally since taking office late October -- is being closely watched because of fears her vow to put Italy's interests first might roil relations between Brussels and Rome. #eudebates the unique initiative aiming to promote debate, dialogue, knowledge, participation and communication among citizens. #Italy #Meloni #Brussels #Berlusconi #Putin #Russia #Russians #Ukraine #war #Italy #election #Salvini #Giorgia_Meloni "The voice of Italy in Europe will be strong: we are ready to confront the big questions, starting with the energy crisis, working together for a solution to help families and businesses to halt speculation," Meloni tweeted ahead of her arrival. Her first handshake was with the head of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, who stressed Italy's "central role in the EU". "More than ever -- with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, skyrocketing energy prices and rising inflation -- we need to stick together. We are stronger if we are together," Metsola tweeted pointedly. After Metsola, Meloni was to be welcomed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen then by European Council chief Charles Michel. Meloni -- who once called for Italy to scrap the euro and railed against an "invasive" EU -- has been more conciliatory in her public comments in recent months. Political analyst Lorenzo Codogno told AFP that Italy's first woman prime minister -- and the head of Italy's most far-right government since World War II -- would be taking a diplomatic rather than belligerent tone. Treading carefully "Meloni is pragmatic and wants to be perceived as a moderate and mainstream leader," he said. The leader of the eurozone's third-largest economy is expected to stress the urgency of European measures to reduce sky-high energy prices, a battle begun by her predecessor Mario Draghi. "The real focus will be on energy... the most urgent issue with winter around the corner," Codogno said, adding Meloni will be determined "to show continuity with the Draghi government". Draghi joined other countries in calling for bloc-wide solutions to the energy crunch aggravated by the war in Ukraine, rather than a controversial, go-it-alone approach deployed by Germany. Meloni, too, has insisted the continent's worst energy crisis in decades should be dealt with "at an EU level". The trip "will have no immediate practical consequences", Italy's Messaggero daily predicted, but said it will help Meloni gauge what EU help she might get on her country's most pressing issues. Upon taking up the premiership, Meloni has offered reassuring phrases about Western solidarity and support for NATO, distancing herself from the fascist roots of her Brothers of Italy party. But, said Sebastien Maillard, director of the Jacques Delors Institute, "she has remained rather vague about her intentions". Brussels will be treading carefully, wary of pushing Meloni towards other nationalist governments in Hungary and Poland that are challenging EU values and rule of law principles. There is unlikely to be a showdown over the EU's post-pandemic recovery fund, which is funnelling almost 200 billion euros ($195 billion) to Italy on the condition that it implements major reforms. Italy’s new far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a “constructive” meeting with European Parliament president Roberta Metsola on Thursday. In her first official overseas trip, Meloni held a meeting with Metsola, during which the pair discussed Ukraine, high energy prices and inflation, among other issues. Metsola said the European Parliament and Meloni are totally aligned on Ukraine. “We will continue to stand firm on sanctions. And we are united in reaffirming our support for Ukraine. "On energy and inflation, people need us now, we must act now. I am aware that Member States have different realities, but we must find the courage and political will to act as we did during the pandemic: by joining forces.” Upon becoming Prime Minister, Meloni offered reassurance about Western solidarity and support for NATO, distancing herself from the fascist roots of her Brothers of Italy party. A spokesperson for Metsola said the meeting confirmed Italy will continue its central role in EU decision-making. The spokesperson said Metsola mentioned the importance of adopting the EU’s latest legislative packages on energy and climate change before the European Parliament’s term ends in 2024. After Metsola, Meloni will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and later European Council chief Charles Michel. Meloni, who once called for Italy to scrap the euro and railed against an "invasive" EU, has been more conciliatory in her public comments in recent months.