ROMA (ITALPRESS) – “Belgium is one of the nations that is increasing investments” in the defence sector, “as Italy is ready to make available its cooperation, friendship and its industrial excellence. I think there is a very wide space to strengthen our cooperation in the interests of the two nations, but clearly also in the interests of Europe as a whole because we are working to strengthen our autonomy and our industrial and technological capacities.” Thus the President of the Council, Giorgia Meloni, at the end of the meeting with the Belgian Prime Minister, Bart De Wever.
“Our economic relations are particularly flourishing, in 2025 our exchange grew still compared to 2024, exceeded 46,5 billion euros. In Belgium, more than 300 Italian companies operate, and yet we are both convinced that the complementarity between our subsidiaries can be improved even better,” he added.
“Last August 8, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the tragedy of Marcinelle, the most tragic symbol of the great Italian migration, a story made of work and sacrifice, made of integration and dignity. That tragedy is a warning for everyone to reaffirm that work must always be synonymous with dignity, rights and security and that there can be no room in Europe for those who trampl the rights of workers,” said the prime minister.
“After a very busy summer, the European ability to respond to crisis is once again called into question. From this point of view I remain firmly convinced that it is possible to preserve in the best way the Schengen area only if they defend the Union’s external borders and if all Member States continue to play their part in the fight against traffickers and in the fight against mass illegal immigration,” Meloni said.
“It is under the eyes of all the very strong impact that the international situation, especially in Hormuz, is having on the cost of fuels, fertilizers, raw materials and all these are weighing on our citizens and our businesses. This is why we agree that the next European Council should go back to addressing the issues of competitiveness, energy costs and that it should do so with more courage and greater concreteness,” he concluded.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
