How can Italy and Germany strengthen their cooperation in the fields of security and defence, trade, energy resilience and artificial intelligence? 30 German and 30 Italian young leaders addressed these questions during three digital workshops and the joint closing conference in Milan. Divided into four working groups, they developed potential solutions to current challenges in European policy.
At the end of the final conference in Milan (3 to 6 May 2026), they presented their recommendations for action to Andrea Silvestri, Deputy Director General and Central Director for European Countries, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and to Susanne Welter, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Milan, who gave constructive feedback. In addition, Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for European Affairs in Germany, visited the working groups and discussed current challenges in European policy with them.
For the first time, the Spinelli Strategy Sessions also provided a forum for in-depth discussion of the policy recommendations: during the online meetings, participants discussed their proposals for action with representatives from relevant ministries in Germany and Italy, who, drawing on their expertise in the respective policy areas, commented on the proposals and shared insights from their work.
The final report summarises the work process and recommendations and emphasises the potential of German-Italian relations to jointly overcome European policy challenges. The policy recommendations also reflect the active participation, willingness to compromise and commitment of the participants throughout the intensive work process.
The Spinelli Forum is a joint initiative of the Federal Foreign Office and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, organised by the IEP and ISPI and financially supported by the European Commission. It took place for the sixth time in 2026.
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