WEBVTT

00:00:21.806 --> 00:00:24.646
Hello everyone.
Thank you for coming.

00:00:24.767 --> 00:00:28.933
I am glad to receive
at Chigi Palace today

00:00:29.253 --> 00:00:32.426
Slovenian Prime Minister
Robert Golob.

00:00:33.233 --> 00:00:38.833
We had an in-depth
and fruitful exchange of views

00:00:39.086 --> 00:00:42.287
on the main topics
of the bilateral agenda,

00:00:42.408 --> 00:00:45.412
as well as European
and international.

00:00:45.533 --> 00:00:49.299
We talked about strengthening
bilateral cooperation,

00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:52.611
which now and in the past
has been running smoothly,

00:00:52.732 --> 00:00:55.801
especially lately.

00:00:56.120 --> 00:01:02.051
Italy and Slovenia share
the area of the northern Adriatic,

00:01:02.826 --> 00:01:08.767
we want to restore its
central role with our joint efforts,

00:01:10.007 --> 00:01:12.746
also at the international level.

00:01:12.933 --> 00:01:20.280
We share mutual satisfaction due
to the level of commodity exchange

00:01:20.401 --> 00:01:27.200
which in 2014 reached
a record value of 14 billion euros.

00:01:27.321 --> 00:01:30.606
Our economic systems
are increasingly interconnected.

00:01:30.727 --> 00:01:36.219
We talked about areas where
we can strengthen cooperation

00:01:36.340 --> 00:01:40.745
for further growth.
Certainly in the field of energy,

00:01:40.866 --> 00:01:44.873
defence and infrastructure.

00:01:44.994 --> 00:01:51.260
In strategic sectors that can
help to strengthen holistically

00:01:52.167 --> 00:01:58.500
our presence in the common area,
and also our bilateral relations.

00:01:58.773 --> 00:02:01.733
I would like to thank
Prime Minister Golob

00:02:01.854 --> 00:02:04.713
who supported
Slovenia's decision

00:02:04.834 --> 00:02:08.067
to support Rome's bid
for Expo 2030,

00:02:08.188 --> 00:02:10.746
which is a great
opportunity for Italy,

00:02:10.867 --> 00:02:17.866
but would also surely
have a significant impact

00:02:17.987 --> 00:02:23.153
for Slovenia and
the entire Adriatic-Ionian region.

00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:26.466
Great growth
in our bilateral cooperation

00:02:26.587 --> 00:02:30.846
also concerns
cross-border cooperation.

00:02:30.967 --> 00:02:34.643
We talked a lot
with the Prime Minister

00:02:34.764 --> 00:02:38.563
about the nomination
of Gorica and Nova Gorica

00:02:38.684 --> 00:02:42.701
for European Capital
of Culture 2025.

00:02:42.920 --> 00:02:45.566
We are ready to cooperate

00:02:45.740 --> 00:02:50.540
for this joint candidacy
to be successful.

00:02:50.661 --> 00:02:53.579
We are ready to implement
various initiatives together.

00:02:53.700 --> 00:02:59.067
This testifies to the vitality
and wealth of this area,

00:02:59.188 --> 00:03:05.012
but also to the frequent
intertwining of these destinies.

00:03:05.133 --> 00:03:10.180
From our point of view, this project
offers significant opportunities

00:03:10.301 --> 00:03:14.009
for the economic and social
development of both sides.

00:03:14.130 --> 00:03:17.533
The presence
of Italian minority in Slovenia

00:03:17.654 --> 00:03:23.365
and Slovenian in Italy is a topic
that is important to both of us.

00:03:23.486 --> 00:03:29.600
We agreed to maintain
an ongoing dialogue channel

00:03:29.721 --> 00:03:32.359
and constructive comparison.

00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:35.867
We are aware of the problems

00:03:35.988 --> 00:03:39.480
caused to our
cross-border communities

00:03:39.601 --> 00:03:43.492
by the reintroduction
of border controls

00:03:43.613 --> 00:03:48.833
by Italy and Slovenia
due to security challenges

00:03:49.067 --> 00:03:52.134
brought about by the
current international situation,

00:03:52.255 --> 00:03:55.167
increasing migratory pressure
on our borders.

00:03:55.288 --> 00:04:01.254
We are both aware that Schengen
was an extraordinary achievement,

00:04:01.593 --> 00:04:03.500
which we have to keep.

00:04:03.766 --> 00:04:07.206
We are striving for formation
of a normal border regime,

00:04:07.407 --> 00:04:09.900
when the situation
shall allow it.

00:04:10.167 --> 00:04:14.000
In the last few months Mr. Golob
and I have cooperated well

00:04:14.201 --> 00:04:16.697
and we are both aware

00:04:16.967 --> 00:04:22.492
that for preserving a place
of free movement within the EU

00:04:22.693 --> 00:04:26.434
it is key to keep working
at external dimensions.

00:04:26.635 --> 00:04:29.906
More successfully
we protect the external EU borders,

00:04:30.113 --> 00:04:34.812
better we will be protecting
a free movement within the EU.

00:04:35.686 --> 00:04:40.433
As usual,
we have the same view

00:04:40.667 --> 00:04:43.700
of the subject of the European
prospect for Western Balkans.

00:04:43.901 --> 00:04:49.823
Both countries are historically
connected with this issue.

00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:53.467
It is important
to expedite this process.

00:04:53.668 --> 00:04:58.767
I have always talked
about reunification

00:04:58.968 --> 00:05:02.500
and not about
enlargement of the EU.

00:05:02.701 --> 00:05:05.967
I have to emphasize
that the EU is not a club.

00:05:06.167 --> 00:05:09.067
We are not deciding who can be
and who can't be a member.

00:05:09.268 --> 00:05:11.960
We have to be clear,

00:05:12.161 --> 00:05:14.721
for example in the case of
Bosnia and Herzegovina,

00:05:14.922 --> 00:05:18.794
at the next European Council,
when we have a chance

00:05:19.133 --> 00:05:24.666
to take specific steps
in procedure for EU accession.

00:05:24.867 --> 00:05:29.134
The clearer we are,
more effective we can be

00:05:29.373 --> 00:05:35.100
and our continent can become
a continent of solidarity,

00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:38.133
as we have always strived for.

00:05:38.433 --> 00:05:42.532
We have talked about Ukraine
and supported

00:05:42.733 --> 00:05:46.225
its sovereignty
and territorial integrity,

00:05:46.426 --> 00:05:51.566
which is a victim of unjustified
aggression by the Russian Federation,

00:05:51.767 --> 00:05:56.166
and achieving of peace
while respecting international law.

00:05:56.387 --> 00:05:59.093
We have talked about Middle East
and initiatives,

00:05:59.294 --> 00:06:03.567
with which we can continue,
especially in the humanitarian field.

00:06:03.768 --> 00:06:08.473
We have a few ideas
that we have implemented.

00:06:08.686 --> 00:06:12.200
Italia organized a hospital

00:06:13.733 --> 00:06:19.666
on a ship along the coast of Gaza.

00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:24.100
I wish Slovenia a lot of success

00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:27.967
as a non-permanent member
of the UN's Security Council,

00:06:28.273 --> 00:06:32.173
as it will become on 1. 1. 2024.
I am convinced

00:06:32.567 --> 00:06:35.034
that Ljubljana will once again
prove its capability.

00:06:35.235 --> 00:06:40.633
I am happy
to have one more friend

00:06:40.833 --> 00:06:43.559
in the UN's Security Council.

00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:46.700
I would like to say
to Prime Minister Golob

00:06:46.901 --> 00:06:52.357
that I want to return
this visit as soon as possible.

00:06:53.433 --> 00:06:55.267
There will be many opportunities.

00:06:55.467 --> 00:07:01.719
Like preparations for nomination
of Gorizia and Nova Gorica.

00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:06.033
Or on May 9th
when Slovenia celebrates

00:07:06.247 --> 00:07:11.873
a special occasion, the 20th
anniversary of accession to the EU.

00:07:12.886 --> 00:07:16.833
I would like
to visit Slovenia then

00:07:17.034 --> 00:07:20.506
and will do it soon. Prime Minister,
thank you for your visit.

00:07:20.707 --> 00:07:27.600
Thank you for a very productive talk,
it was a continuation of our work

00:07:27.833 --> 00:07:33.200
and will surely be a stepping stone
for even stronger cooperation.

00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:41.400
Thank you, Prime Minister
of Italy Georgia Meloni

00:07:41.767 --> 00:07:47.367
for these encouraging
and friendly words.

00:07:48.400 --> 00:07:52.533
Slovenia and Italy
are not only neighbours.

00:07:52.753 --> 00:07:56.919
They are connected
with a rich history,

00:07:57.120 --> 00:08:00.933
but primarily,
by a beautiful and rich future.

00:08:01.460 --> 00:08:03.833
Today, we talked

00:08:04.033 --> 00:08:08.833
about how to make sure,
as two friendly countries,

00:08:09.034 --> 00:08:12.833
that not only people
on both sides of the border

00:08:13.033 --> 00:08:15.540
and minorities
on both sides of the border,

00:08:15.741 --> 00:08:19.933
but all Italians
and Slovenians

00:08:20.133 --> 00:08:22.066
will benefit
from our cooperation.

00:08:22.267 --> 00:08:25.366
We talked
about strategic issues.

00:08:25.833 --> 00:08:28.833
We must not forget Italy
was the first country

00:08:29.106 --> 00:08:31.239
that last winter,

00:08:31.440 --> 00:08:34.600
when there was
shortage of natural gas,

00:08:34.900 --> 00:08:40.133
helped Slovenia
with a solidarity pact.

00:08:40.767 --> 00:08:45.434
The Algerian natural gas

00:08:45.635 --> 00:08:48.567
is coming to us
through Italy.

00:08:48.933 --> 00:08:51.233
This was an important gesture

00:08:51.434 --> 00:08:54.400
which we expected
from other neighbouring countries,

00:08:54.600 --> 00:09:00.460
but did not get it.
Italy did it without conditions.

00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:04.067
We also cooperate very well

00:09:04.267 --> 00:09:07.034
in the defence area

00:09:07.373 --> 00:09:12.206
and we will cooperate
even more closely.

00:09:12.505 --> 00:09:14.700
We will cooperate militarily,

00:09:14.901 --> 00:09:18.233
we have been together
on many missions

00:09:19.026 --> 00:09:23.700
as a part of NATO
at the Balkans and elsewhere,

00:09:23.900 --> 00:09:27.100
and also military industries
will cooperate.

00:09:27.301 --> 00:09:30.067
Right now, Slovenia

00:09:30.268 --> 00:09:34.473
is buying important equipment
for the army.

00:09:34.800 --> 00:09:37.800
The Italian industry
is a very active

00:09:38.001 --> 00:09:41.533
and welcome provider of it.

00:09:42.456 --> 00:09:45.391
Apart from the cooperation,
I think

00:09:45.719 --> 00:09:50.367
Slovenia and Italy

00:09:50.587 --> 00:09:54.586
are very important allies.
The proof of this is

00:09:54.793 --> 00:10:00.266
our work
at the European Council.

00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:02.400
We can prove it

00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:05.226
in future initiatives
as well,

00:10:05.427 --> 00:10:10.100
especially with helping Gaza.

00:10:11.027 --> 00:10:17.300
Italy has already sent
a hospital on the ship there,

00:10:17.501 --> 00:10:21.267
a ship hospital.
I want to emphasize

00:10:21.468 --> 00:10:23.500
Slovenia is ready

00:10:23.701 --> 00:10:29.633
and we will help
with our capacities.

00:10:29.833 --> 00:10:34.566
We want
the humanitarian aid to Gaza

00:10:34.793 --> 00:10:38.300
to be open
as soon as possible

00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:41.500
and we believe
the sea route is a way

00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:47.900
to help
the suffering people of Gaza,

00:10:48.101 --> 00:10:51.767
so they will get help
as soon as possible.

00:10:51.967 --> 00:10:54.534
We thank Italy
for their initiative

00:10:54.735 --> 00:10:59.234
and we will be
glad to join them.

00:11:00.853 --> 00:11:03.200
Of course, we also talked

00:11:03.401 --> 00:11:05.733
about the minorities
on both sides of the border

00:11:05.934 --> 00:11:09.533
which were a source
of conflicts in the past

00:11:09.733 --> 00:11:12.467
and today,
they can bring peace.

00:11:12.667 --> 00:11:17.400
If we give a suitable role
to the minority

00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:22.467
in our dialogue,
we can strengthen it.

00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:24.733
We talked

00:11:24.933 --> 00:11:27.201
about how to use
the opportunity

00:11:27.402 --> 00:11:31.502
which the European
Capital of Culture

00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:35.533
at the border between Nova Gorica
where I was born

00:11:35.733 --> 00:11:39.733
and the Italian Gorizia
brings.

00:11:39.934 --> 00:11:43.733
We will use this opportunity
for a better cooperation

00:11:44.267 --> 00:11:47.573
not only between the towns,
but between the countries.

00:11:47.866 --> 00:11:53.220
I am glad
to invite my friend,

00:11:54.052 --> 00:11:56.800
PM Meloni,

00:11:57.001 --> 00:12:01.367
to meet there

00:12:01.567 --> 00:12:04.967
when the European
Capital of Culture starts.

00:12:05.333 --> 00:12:08.333
I invite her to Slovenia

00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:11.433
and to come on foot

00:12:11.633 --> 00:12:16.165
to show how close
both countries are

00:12:16.366 --> 00:12:20.933
and especially how close
people at the border are.

00:12:22.467 --> 00:12:24.267
Thank you.

00:12:29.833 --> 00:12:31.727
Let's shake hands.

00:12:34.967 --> 00:12:36.667
Thank you.
-Thank you.

00:12:36.987 --> 00:12:38.734
Let's go.