“I am happy with the climate I found in Brussels," Meloni told reporters after meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Council President Charles Michel.
"From a personal, human point of view, there was a very frank and positive exchange," the plain-speaking Rome native added.
Meloni had travelled to Brussels for her first meeting with European Union leaders since bringing Italy’s right-wing bloc to a landslide victory in the September 25 general election.
Now at the helm of the eurozone’s third-largest economy, Meloni sought to discuss difficult topics, such as skyrocketing energy prices at the hands of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This discourse had been initiated by Mario Draghi, who had implored the EU27 to offer a solution and condemned Berlin’s individualistic response.
Ahead of her Brussels debut, Meloni had taken to social media, stating:
“The voice of Italy in Europe will be strong: we are ready to address the major issues, starting with the energy crisis, cooperating for a fast, effective solution to support families and business and put the brakes on speculation."
According to a tweet posted shortly before they met, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told the visiting Italian premier that Italy's role is central in the EU:
"Welcome Premier Giorgia Meloni to the European Parliament.
“Italy has always had a central role in the EU. Now more than ever ― with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, soaring energy prices and rising inflation ― we must stay united.
"WE are stronger is we are together", she said.
