Picture: Tiberio Barchielli, Palazzo Chigi
Europe, Brexit, Libya, migration and relations with Russia were on the agenda during the Italian prime minister’s meeting with his British counterpart on 9 February.
Italian prime minister Paolo Gentiloni met his British counterpart Theresa May at 10 Downing Street. The two heads of government discussed, among other things, pressing matters such as the future of the European Union in the wake of the Brexit vote, as the date set for triggering Article 50 approaches, and Libya, whose stabilisation remains a priority for both Italy and the UK.
Other matters discussed included the situation in the Mediterranean and cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism.
During a joint press conference at No. 10 after the bilateral meeting, Gentiloni acknowledged that Brexit negotiations would not be simple but that they should be dealt with amicably and constructively, promising that this would be the approach adopted by Italy. The House of Commons had given the green light to Brexit negotiations just one day previously.
During the joint press conference Prime Minister Gentiloni also reassured Italian nationals in the UK and British citizens in Italy that “their acquired rights would be reciprocal and would be respected”. The two prime ministers also highlighted the importance of trade and economic relations between the two countries.
In the afternoon, Gentiloni spoke about the future of Europe at the London School of Economics before an audience primarily of students and academics. He stressed that there was “no referendum, and no political decision, that can undermine the brotherhood between our two countries and their people.”
He acknowledged that the future EU needs to be “flexible, reformed and united”, allowing “different degrees of policy integration to coexist successfully”.
In a demonstration of continually strengthening relations between Italy and the UK, Gentiloni and May also announced an agreement to establish a periodic bilateral summit, which will run in tandem with a business forum for entrepreneurs from both countries.
