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Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn visited his Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi on a working visit described as a 'visit amongst friends'.
The main topics between the two foreign ministers were Europe and the relationship between Luxembourg and Italy. Asselborn and Moavero Milanesi maintained that despite some political differences, Italy remained an important trade partner for Luxembourg.
Ten months after the incident in which Asselborn interrupted the Italian Minister of the Interior and known anti-migration politician Matteo Salvini with the "Merde alors" outburst, the topic of refugees remained at hand. Asselborn referred to the incident, reiterating the fact that Luxembourgers have a lot of respect for Italians. He explained the outburst not as a attack on Italy, but instead a critique of the current attitude towards migrants throughout Europe.
Asselborn pointed out that people seem unable to decide whether to belong to a European Union made up of communities or a European Union where everybody focuses on themselves first.
Whilst Asselborn admitted that Salvini has had issues with Luxembourg, he pointed out that the relationship between the two countries is not limited to his relationship with Salvini. He pointed out that 25,000 Italians live in Luxembourg, having become a significant community in the Grand Duchy, and that the two countries maintained a 'strong friendship.'
Moavero Milanesi echoed Asselborn's point about how Europe is developing, and furthermore described the bilateral relationship between Luxembourg and Italy as a solid relationship. The Italian foreign minister previously worked at the European Court in Luxembourg, and has a different view of Europe to his colleague Salvini. Moavero Milanesi explained that he and Asselborn want to work towards a European Union, which works, progresses, integrates and above all, does not cause divisions.
The two spent over an hour and a half in discussions, which ended with the signatures of a treaty committing to continue the close relationship. Italy is one of Luxembourg's most important trade partners, following the Grand Duchy's three neighbours, Great Britain, and the Netherlands.
Asselborn reacts to Boris Johnson's election
Whilst in Rome, Asselborn also found out the news that Boris Johnson had been elected the new leader of the Conservative party, in turn becoming the incumbent prime minister of the United Kingdom. In his reaction to the news, Asselborn reiterated that Johnson would not fundamentally overturn the relations between the UK and the EU. As Asselborn said, the EU has spent two years negotiating on the withdrawal agreement, which is not simply an agreement that applies to the EU and only Theresa May.
However, the Luxembourgish Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted that the next session in the House of Commons is lively to be a bit of a battle. Nevertheless, Asselborn hopes that both sides will not end up heading towards a no-deal Brexit. He described this as 'fatal' for London and Brussels and something that must be avoided at all costs. Instead, the partners should continue to work on the deal, even if not all conditions remained open to negotiation. The minister ended his reaction by pointing out that this is now Johnson's main responsibility.
