On 24-25 March, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela went on a mission to Rome to meet with both Italian and UN stakeholders like the Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP). The objective was to advance the EU’s Global Gateway strategy as well as to strengthen the Team Europe approach for scaling up operations in partner countries.
Through a series of high-level meetings, including with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Commissioner Síkela discussed how Global Gateway promotes economic growth on a global scale and benefit the European Union as well as partner countries. He exchanged on synergies between the European Global Gateway and the Italian Mattei Plan since they follow the same investments logic for mutual-beneficial partnerships and are both key contributions to the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), an initiative that was strengthened during the Italian Presidency of the G7 in 2024.
Commissioner Jozef Síkela commented, “Only a united Europe is a strong Europe, and Italy plays a crucial role in it. We have Global Gateway, Italy has the Mattei Plan and is also a key member of Team Europe. Together, under these frameworks, we are working to strengthen Europe’s economic security, expand our global influence and create new opportunities for European businesses. Together we have a better chance to deliver on concrete and significant projects that drive sustainable development for our partners and benefit Europe too. This is crucial because the world is changing fast. And only by staying united can Europe shape that change, not be shaped by it”.
At his first governmental meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani, Commissioner Síkela discussed how Global Gateway and the Mattei Plan can strengthen EU global influence and create more chances for Europe, help partner countries bolster their stability and support sustainable development for more peace and prosperity.
Then Commissioner Síkela met with Minister for Business Adolfo Urso to explore how better cooperate with Italian companies under the Global Gateway strategy and provide them with the support they need for upcoming projects. He then talked with the Italian companies about their priorities and opportunities in partner countries as they expand abroad and help drive Team Europe forward.
Commissioner Síkela also exchanged with the Italian Parliament at a joint session of EU and Foreign Affairs Committees about the EU Global Gateway strategy and the Mattei Plan synergies.
While in Rome, he also met His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. They spoke about how the European Union and the Holy See can work together to promote peace and stability in the world’s most fragile regions.
Background
Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.
The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions. Together, we aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.
The Mattei Plan is a strategy to strengthen the Italian strategic partnership with Africa. It was launched in January 2024 during the Italy-Africa Summit. It covers six priority sectors: Education and vocational training, energy, agriculture, water, health, and physical and digital infrastructures.
