President Meloni’s video message to the European Parliament on the Mattei Plan for Africa and the Global Gateway

[Good morning, everyone ]

First of all, allow me to extend a warm welcome to President Metsola, whom I wish to thank for her work and friendship, and to European Commissioners Síkela and Šuica, who have carried out initiatives shared and supported by Italy, such as the Global Gateway and the Mediterranean Pact.

Naturally, I would also like to thank Carlo Fidanza, the delegation from Fratelli d'Italia, and the European Conservatives and Reformists Group led by Nicola Procaccini for promoting and organizing this high-level conference dedicated to an issue that is particularly close to my heart and to the Italian government. I would also like to greet all the representatives of African institutions and the representatives of the Italian System, the private sector, the financial world, and cooperation who are present today: your participation confirms that the Mattei Plan is not only an Italian initiative but is now a European and international strategy that looks to the future and is gaining increasing support.

Today, the Mattei Plan is no longer just an idea, but a reality that is producing concrete results. I would like to mention three figures in particular: the direct involvement of 14 African nations, over €1 billion in resources already committed by Italy to projects on the African continent, and the synergy with the Global Gateway, which is worth more than €1.2 billion. This cooperation is currently focused on four major strategic initiatives: the development of the Lobito Infrastructure Corridor to connect West Africa to East Africa, linking Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia; the development of coffee production chains in several African nations; the extension of the Blue Raman digital cable to East Africa, the maritime backbone that will connect India to European economies, passing through the Middle East and the Mediterranean; the AI Hub for Sustainable Development in Rome, which will involve hundreds of African start-ups in applying artificial intelligence to the various sectors of the Plan.

We are continuing this work because we are convinced that investing in Africa's future means investing in Europe's own future. We are doing so through a method that has become a 2 / 2 benchmark at European level, as shown by the presentation a few weeks ago in Brussels of the Global Gateway Hub, a permanent platform that will coordinate European projects and investments in Africa. The spirit that guides our action is inspired by Enrico Mattei: a great Italian, a visionary, who with his 'pragmatic patriotism' served the national interest by building bridges and cooperation with other peoples. The summit between the European Union and the African Union, which will take place in Angola in the coming weeks, will be an opportunity to further develop this vision and synchronize strategic programs between the two continents.

Italy will continue to be a bridge between Europe and Africa, offering the expertise of its companies, the strength of its institutions, and its great tradition of dialogue. Because the future of Europe depends on a more stable, secure, and prosperous Africa. And the future of Africa depends on a Europe that is capable of listening, investing, and building together, with humility and respect for others. This is a historic challenge in which, I am sure, the European Parliament will play a leading role.

Therefore, thank you all for your contribution, and best wishes for your work.