ROME (dpa-AFX) – Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sees no crisis in the transatlantic relationship in view of the new US security strategy. “I would not speak of a break in relations between the USA and Europe,” said the head of government in a television interview. Although the latest strategy document contains clear assessments of EU policy, this is part of a longer-running debate between both sides.
She stressed that Europe must understand “that if it wants to be great, it must be able to defend itself and not be dependent on others.” Meloni added: “When you outsource your security to someone else, you have to know that there is a price for it.”
According to the right-wing politician, the USA could put its own interests first and enforce them because of its strength. Europe must do the same and only consider its own interests. “Not because the Americans tell us so, frankly, but because we ourselves have to be convinced of it,” said Meloni.
The new US security strategy was published by the White House on Thursday evening (local time) and paints a bleak picture of the situation in Europe. In it, US President Donald Trump, among other things, brands the current political landscape in the EU as a threat to American interests. There are also complaints about a loss of democracy and freedom of expression in Europe and calls for a course correction. There was criticism from the EU./rme/DP/men