Italy and Germany want to tackle the challenges of the future together, said Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. Their joint visit of a German-Italian economy summit following the meeting at the Federal Chancellery is a sign of this, she added. The focus of the conference is on digitisation. Both sides are aware of the extent to which jobs of the future will depend on digitisation, the Chancellor said.

Joint answers to migration

Italy and Germany want to join efforts to prepare the forthcoming EU summit in Malta in early February, as well as the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome in March. The issue of migration is a main focus: "We will work together to ensure that the European legal system can be quickly renewed", Merkel said. Freedom of movement within the Schengen area can only be preserved through a common response to migration.

Germany and Italy also work closely together to tackle the root causes of displacement, through a migration partnership with Niger and through efforts to reinforce the Government of National Accord in Libya, for example. Both partners want to improve the training of the Libyan coast guard.

Europe as a vision

Merkel stressed once again that Europe’s fate lies in its own hands: "We will only earn trust when we solve problems", Merkel said, naming employment, internal security and economic growth as some of the main difficulties facing Europe. Solidarity among member states is key, she added.

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni declared: "We know that the EU is going through a difficult phase, but Italy and Germany are convinced the EU has a future." That is why the EU's values must be reaffirmed. Europe must surmount its main difficulties. "At the same time, we must present Europe as a vision, not just as a history," said Gentiloni.

Open societies, shared values

Italy and Germany also share "a broad agenda of cooperation", said Merkel, noting both countries will host major international summits— the G7 in Italy, the G20 in Germany — later this year. Germany and Italy are "open societies which share the same values". They are committed to free trade and will work closely together in this area, said the Chancellor.

Paolo Gentiloni was in Berlin for his inaugural visit. He took office as Italy’s Prime Minister on 12 December 2016. Prior to that, he was Minister for Communications from 2006 to 2008 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from November 2014 until December 2016.