Overview

• Germany and Italy have resolved a diplomatic dispute over perceived omissions in Germany's coalition treaty, with Chancellor Merz reaffirming Italy's importance as a strategic partner.
• Both leaders committed to intensifying joint efforts to curb irregular migration, including exploring asylum processing in non-EU countries such as Albania.
• Merz and Meloni agreed to resume annual bilateral government consultations starting next year, ending a seven-year pause in such meetings.
• Italy will be more closely integrated into EU efforts to address the Ukraine war, with Merz emphasizing Italy's essential role in European diplomacy.
• The discussions underlined a shared commitment to implementing stricter EU asylum policies and expanding cooperation with Mediterranean neighboring states.