German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday that he favors Italy's greater involvement in Europe's efforts to end the Ukrainian war.
“We agree that Italy has to play a role here,” Mells said after meeting with Rome's Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
He added that he will hold talks with other European partners on the matter in the coming days.
“We can't let ourselves be divided in the EU. There are no first-class or second-class members,” the new principal said.
Meloni's recent absence from leaders in France, Britain, Poland and Germany's visit to Kiev has caused stimulation in Italy.
According to media reports, Meloni did not participate in the insistence of French President Emmanuel Macron.
After meeting with Meles, Meloney said – without a named name – now may be “a time to put aside personal sensitivity and threaten to undermine important and fundamental solidarity in the West”.
Merz describes Italy, which has been dominated by the right-wing alliance since 2022, as an “essential strategic partner.”
A report from the German Conservative Daily, a report caused a sensation before Meers visited Rome, said that unlike France and Poland, Italy did not explicitly mention strategic partner countries in the German government's joint agreement.
It was reportedly at the insistence of the Meers United Partner Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Leaders Italian politicians, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, expressed anger at the report.
After the meeting, Meers stressed: “All this is wrong.” He added, “There is no discussion on Italy's role in the EU at any time”.
The visit marks the first trip to Italy since Merz took office. He attended the inauguration of Pope Leo on Sunday in Rome.
German Chancellor Friedrich Mells (L) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke at a press conference after the meeting. Michael Kappeler/DPA
