On June 2nd, 1946, the Italian Republic was established by the universal vote of its citizens, including women for the first time. Italy regained its place among democracies, a path undertaken by Greece nearly thirty years later.
Though shaped by different struggles, both Countries overcame dictatorships of the twentieth century, emerged as democracies rooted on the rule of law and respect of human rights, and integrated into European Union, NATO and the United Nations.
Today, Italy and Greece enjoy excellent bilateral relations built upon a solid synergy between Governments – confirmed at the Summit held in Rome in May 2025 – and shared priorities in the EU and international fora. They consider the “Enlarged Mediterranean”, including the Red Sea and the Middle East, a crucial crossroad for global security and prosperity. Confronted to serious instability stretching from the Sahel to the Baltic Sea, Rome and Athens are committed to protect Europe’s southern flank, govern migration flows, achieve a negotiated solution to conflicts in the Middle East and ensure safe maritime navigation. Prime Ministers Meloni and Mitsotakis reiterated this vision at the “Europe Gulf Forum” held in Costa Navarino two weeks ago.
For years, Italy and Greece have been supporting the enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans, as recently advocated by Foreign Ministers Tajani and Gerapetritis in the Bratislava Declaration of the Friends of the Western Balkans. As essential, in the EU framework, is the full implementation of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, a balanced energy transition and the adequate funding of agriculture and cohesion policies.
Thriving economic relations based on the high integration of the two productive systems are also a pillar of our special partnership. In 2025, the bilateral trade totaled nearly 12 billion Euros; Italy is the first world market for Greek goods, and it exports more to Greece than to larger economies in Europe, Asia and Latin America. While foreign stakeholders were hesitant, in the last two decades major Italian companies invested and keep investing in Greece, in sectors key like energy, transports, digital infrastructures and agroindustry. Tourism is another positive example. In 2025, 2.2 million Italians visited Greece and 700,000 Greeks travelled to Italy. There is an increasing interest for joint initiatives to promote lesser-known destinations and strengthen sustainable tourism.
Italy and Greece are two cultural superpowers. The legacy of the Greek and Roman civilizations, the cradle of European and Western identity, continue to represent a unique compass for European societies today.
Cultural cooperation between Italy and Greece therefore remains of the utmost importance. In June alone, the Italian Ministry of Culture will present the exhibitions “Greece and the routes to the West. The shipwreck in the Otranto Channel” at the Byzantine Museum, in collaboration with the Italian School of Archeology, and “Inspirations: Ancient Greek Art living in Italy” (Acropolis Museum), in collaboration with the Acropolis Museum, both highlighting how closely intertwined our history and culture are. In parallel, the events organized by the Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute include the concerts in Athens and Rhodes by the Accademia del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and the exhibition “Maria, La Callas. The Art of Italian Costume Design in Film”, inaugurated at the Benaki Museum.
Eighty years after the proclamation of the Italian Republic, Italy and Greece have become models of political and economic stability within the European Union and in the Mediterranean. We share a common history and a deep friendship. We are both confronted with unprecedented challenges, in an international scenario where traditional references have been lost.
Against this background, the potential for enhanced cooperation and new partnerships at all levels is still huge and worth exploring.
As Ambassador of Italy, it is a task I am proud to keep undertaking, and I am sincerely grateful to Greek Authorities, Institutions and stakeholders for the invaluable support they have been providing me in over two years of service in Athens.
Viva la Repubblica Italiana! Ζήτω η Ελληνική Δημοκρατία!
