WILL ITALY’S “ROME PROCESS” CHANGE MEDITERRANEAN POLITICS?

Luglio 28, 2023

WILL ITALY’S “ROME PROCESS” CHANGE MEDITERRANEAN POLITICS?

The MED This Week newsletter provides informed insights on the most significant developments in the MENA region, bringing together unique opinions and reliable foresight on future scenarios. Today we shed light on Italy’s latest initiatives and actions in the broad context of Mediterranean geopolitics.

This month witnessed Italy’s increased involvement in Mediterranean affairs. On the 16th of July, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a MoU with Tunisia, representing a new foundation for multilateral cooperation between the EU and the North African country. Shared interests and concerns were tackled: from economic development to Tunisia’s macroeconomic stability, green and digital transitions, as well as migration management. The latter was at the heart of the first Italy-led International Conference on Migration and Development that was held in Rome on July the 23rd. This diplomatic effort aims to govern Mediterranean migration in tight coordination with the EU, combat human trafficking, and promote economic development in countries of origin and transit. Among these, Libya and Tunisia are of pivotal importance for Rome. However, the privileged partnerships that Italy is establishing with both countries will have to be framed into wider considerations on democracy and human rights promotion. Against this backdrop, what are Italy’s priorities, long-term views and strategies? What role is Rome seeking to play in Mediterranean geopolitics?

Experts from the ISPI network analyse some of the main priorities in the Italian government’s policy agenda for the Mediterranean.