When the terrible images from Italy reached us three months ago, I would not have believed that I would be able to travel to Rome again this summer. I am thus particularly pleased to have received this invitation from my counterpart Luigi Di Maio.

The pandemic affected Italy particularly early and severely. It is an honour for me that I will meet some of the Italian researchers, doctors and nurses in the Istituto Spallanzani today who were at the epicentre of the pandemic and led our joint European fight against the virus. Their work saved many lives.

I would like to speak with Luigi Di Maio about the challenges that now lie ahead of us in Europe. We need to achieve a robust economic and social reboot. This is the main priority of our Presidency of the Council of the EU. We are absolutely determined not to leave any country in Europe behind. I firmly believe that the momentum of this crisis can erase old lines of division in Europe. The crisis is of an historic nature – but so, too, is the openness to change.

We also want to visit the headquarters of Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI together today. The fact that we launched this operation despite the extremely difficult circumstances during the first weeks of the pandemic sent a powerful message. This shows that Europe is willing to take on international responsibility, particularly in its immediate neighbourhood

When the terrible images from Italy reached us three months ago, I would not have believed that I would be able to travel to Rome again this summer. I am thus particularly pleased to have received this invitation from my counterpart Luigi Di Maio.

The pandemic affected Italy particularly early and severely. It is an honour for me that I will meet some of the Italian researchers, doctors and nurses in the Istituto Spallanzani today who were at the epicentre of the pandemic and led our joint European fight against the virus. Their work saved many lives.

I would like to speak with Luigi Di Maio about the challenges that now lie ahead of us in Europe. We need to achieve a robust economic and social reboot. This is the main priority of our Presidency of the Council of the EU. We are absolutely determined not to leave any country in Europe behind. I firmly believe that the momentum of this crisis can erase old lines of division in Europe. The crisis is of an historic nature – but so, too, is the openness to Change.

We also want to visit the headquarters of Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI together today. The fact that we launched this operation despite the extremely difficult circumstances during the first weeks of the pandemic sent a powerful message. This shows that Europe is willing to take on international responsibility, particularly in its immediate neighbourhood.