Good afternoon everyone.
I wish to sincerely thank Prime Minister Fiala for this wonderful opportunity we have had for a comprehensive exchange of views on the fruitful and historical collaboration between Italy and the Czech Republic and on the many issues on which we have found ourselves in absolute agreement within the multilateral organisations we are both part of, as well as on the constantly changing global scenario, which requires those with leadership responsibilities to question what paths should be pursued.

We have discussed Europe’s role in this scenario and the many strategic issues Europe is facing and that Italy and the Czech Republic, and our two governments, have often been in agreement on, regarding security, a word that perhaps encompasses many of the issues we are dealing with today. Security means supply chains, it means security for our supplies, it means owning our own destiny. This is important work that Europe is now addressing, especially with regard to energy dependence which is something it has to solve.

In this regard, I told Prime Minister Fiala about the important work Italy would like to do, and that it would like to do together, on behalf and in the interest of Europe as a whole, dealing precisely with the issue of energy supply independence, with what we are calling above all a ‘Mattei Plan for Africa’, i.e., trying to diversify energy production, ensure an energy mix and involve nations that are closer to us in that production, particularly Mediterranean nations, because the Mediterranean also offers us a climate and our own geographical structure to produce different forms of energy, which Italy can foster as a gateway to Europe, investing in and strengthening its infrastructure.

We are doing this work thanks also to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, to REPowerEU which has set itself these objectives, and we are doing so not only in our interest, but also in the interest of Europe as a whole and of the other nations – nations that are looking for alternative solutions as they want to break away from dependence on Russia after the latter’s war of aggression against Ukraine. At a time when Europe and certain nations in particular can no longer look east, as is also the case for us, looking south is inevitable.

To the south, the Mediterranean offers us very many opportunities indeed. Investing in those nations, finding and pursuing non-predatory cooperation with African countries, also becomes the most serious way of dealing with the migration crisis, which we are all experiencing. Prime Minister Fiala, an intelligent and forward-looking person, understands that it is now inevitable to address this issue at European level, and to address it before it seriously affects the European territory. Otherwise we will inevitably continue discussing a problem between ourselves that, in any case, remains in Europe. The most serious way to solve this problem (I have raised this many times within the European Council and have always been met with solidarity from the Czech Republic) is to shift attention to defence of the external dimension, work on a serious repatriation policy and work together with irregular migrants’ countries of origin and of transit, to guarantee a right that we have not always guaranteed: the right not to be forced to flee your homeland to find living conditions elsewhere that are more favourable than your current situation. We want to help guarantee that right. This requires concrete actions by the European Commission, which we expect before the next European Council meeting, that will be dealing with this issue; we have so far worked together on those actions and will continue to do so.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Czech Republic, the Czech people and the Government for the extraordinary work it has done, and continues to do, to help Ukrainian refugees. Five hundred thousand people have been, and are being, hosted here and the Czech Republic has been looking after these people since the beginning of the conflict; this truly shows how even nations and states that, on the issue of migration, have rightfully always called for a governance of flows, have then really outdone each other in showing solidarity in the case of those genuinely fleeing war. We must be grateful to them and I wish to thank them for this on behalf of Italy and the Italian Government.

We have spoken about the other major issues affecting Europe. There is an open debate on the new governance rules, on the Stability and Growth Pact. Also on this, we agree about the fact that the new rules must take into consideration the major challenges Europe has set itself because, if we have chosen to see the green transition and the digital transition as a strategic challenge, then it is impossible to imagine the new rules on the stability and growth pact not taking into consideration the investments necessary to complete these transitions, exactly as is the case for defence, at a time when Europe is realising that it needs to invest more in defence in order to invest more in its freedom. This must be taken into consideration in the deficit-to-GDP ratio calculation.

There is therefore still work to be done with respect to the document presented by the Commission. We agree on this work to be done, on the flexibility needed for existing funds in order not to create disparities in the single market at a time when other nations are requesting a relaxation of state aid rules and the green transition has to be economically and socially sustainable and must not be based on somewhat utopian, or in some cases ideological, goals, but rather must be pragmatic.

We are both nations that defend technological neutrality. We believe in the objectives of the green transition. We are committed to reaching those objectives, but we want to be free to work on all the technologies that may allow us to achieve those results. This is something we have worked on together with regard to the automotive industry, and not only; it is a battle we are continuing. There really are many issues we agree on. We will continue to support all infrastructure necessary to support these strategic choices of ours.

We have spoken about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Since the beginning of the conflict, both Italy and the Czech Republic have always firmly and resolutely supported the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian cause; we will continue to provide comprehensive support for as long as necessary. We have also spoken about Ukraine’s reconstruction, confirming the fact that we are betting on Ukraine’s victory and on a future of freedom, a European future for this nation that is fighting for our freedom too.

We have of course – and I shall come to a close – also spoken about our excellent bilateral relationship: there was an 18% increase in trade between us last year; at least three thousand companies have already invested in the Czech Republic and Czech companies are investing more and more in Italy. Our relations are extremely dynamic and we look forward to strengthening them even further. We look forward to strengthening our work together on defence, we look forward to strengthening our work together also with regard to infrastructure. We are both working hard on our National Recovery and Resilience Plans. We can mutually help each other with our respective know-how. Our agri-food, wine and Made in Italy products are held in high esteem here – Prime Minister Fiala himself is a consumer and fan of Italian products – and we are proud of that. We believe that much more can be done also on this and we intend to do much more in all areas of our trade relations.

I shall add one last thing: culture. Rome and Prague are two very ancient cities; two cities that have a very strong connection with their culture and reciprocally. Here in Prague, we Italians have our oldest Italian Cultural Institute in existence. It has been operating for over 100 years and celebrated a century of uninterrupted activity last year. Just think, the Italian Cultural Institute here continued working even during the most difficult years and this makes us proud because, in a city and a nation that offer such a vast range of initiatives, knowing that a significant number of people are actively interested in Italian language and culture really goes to show how solid our roots are and how much friendship there is between our governments and our peoples. So, thank you for this friendship, which we are working to implement.

All the best with your work.

[Courtesy translation]