Washington (ANSA) – The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the only European leader to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump at the White House with the declared intention of making Italy a “bridge between the United States and the EU,” as clarified by her party, thanks to “a privileged relationship that restores centrality to our nation.”

Meloni’s trip is a quick mission, slightly longer than that two-week stay in Florida with Trump, crucial for the release of journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran for three weeks. Personally invited by the tycoon and his daughter Ivanka, the prime minister made her decision just before the trip, which she clarified in a short video released by Palazzo Chigi.

“It is extremely important for a nation like Italy, which has extremely solid relations with the United States, to demonstrate the willingness to continue and, if anything, strengthen that relationship at a time when challenges are global and interconnected.”

Then, at the end of the ceremony, the post with wishes of “good work” to the president, accompanied by a photo taken at the meeting in Mar-a-Lago, and a strategic promise: “Italy will always be committed to consolidating the dialogue between the United States and Europe, as an essential pillar for the stability and growth of our communities.”

Before flying to Washington, the prime minister spoke with Ursula von der Leyen, but not in relation to the mission itself, according to Brussels. Also because the inauguration is considered by the EU leadership “more of a ceremony than a meeting and there was no need to convey any message to Trump through Meloni” (January 20).