During a meeting in Rome on May 12, 2025, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni signed agreements focused on energy and railway investments.

A key initiative from this meeting is the establishment of a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link, which will have a transmission capacity of up to 1GW and span approximately 300 kilometers, including a 240-kilometer subsea section.

The leaders emphasized the significance of their collaboration, particularly in addressing migration, security, energy, and climate issues, which are critical in the current geopolitical climate.

This energy project is particularly timely, as it responds to recent blackouts in Spain and Portugal, underscoring the need for improved energy resilience across Europe.

Mitsotakis was accompanied by key ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the bilateral talks.

The interconnector project, estimated to cost €1.9 billion, has been assigned to Italian power grid operator Terna and Greek counterpart IPTO to ensure timely progress.

Future discussions between the two leaders will also address European security and defense, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties while avoiding new dependencies.

Meloni stressed the strategic geographical advantage of the Mediterranean in global energy dynamics, emphasizing its importance during their discussions.

Both leaders recognized the importance of Greece and Italy's roles in EU decision-making, especially as they face common challenges related to migration and regional stability.

Mitsotakis and Meloni plan to align their positions ahead of European Council discussions on migration policies, balancing complexity with human rights considerations.

The primary focus of their discussions was to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, reinforcing unity among Western nations in the face of global challenges.

Mitsotakis highlighted the success of their joint efforts in managing illegal migration, focusing on effective border protection and the dismantling of smuggling networks.