Remarks by the Vice President Prior to a Meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy and President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen in Rome, Italy

PRIME MINISTER MELONI: (Speaks Italian.) (No translation provided.) I will repeat it in English. (Laughter.)

VICE PRESIDENT VANCE: Thank you. Appreciate it.

PRIME MINISTER MELONI: (Speaks Italian.) (No translation provided.)

I was saying thank you for being here, first of all. Thank you for having accepted my invitation.

When I came to Washington, I was proposing President Trump meeting between the EU and the U.S., and I'm proud that after one month, there is this initial meeting in which we can sit down and share our -- our points of view, trying to go on.

We know how important is the relation between the EU and the U.S. for a strong West --

VICE PRESIDENT VANCE: Sure.

PRIME MINISTER MELONI: -- for our civilization, also for our economic relations that worth 30 percent of the world exchange. And so, I hope that this meeting can be a new beginning. Let's say like that.

And I was also saying that there are some topics which are competence of the commission, so the role of Italy is mainly the role of -- the wol- -- the role of trying to help a dialogue, which I think is very important -- frank, open, but knowing how important we are each for each other.

So, I stop here. Vice President, please.

VICE PRESIDENT VANCE: Great. Thank you, Prime Minister Meloni, who has become a good friend of mine. And we're -- I know I speak for the president when I say we're both big fans of yours and, of course, of Italy.

The people of Italy have been most gracious, especially today, which was a beautiful ceremony. And all credit goes to the Vatican but, of course, your government for making it possible for so many foreign leaders to come in and celebrate Pope Leo's inaugural mass.

Of course, an American pope. The United States is very proud of him, very thrilled with him, and certainly our prayers go with him as he starts this very important work.

I'm looking forward to this conversation. I think one of the things that Prime Minister Meloni has offered to do -- and, of course, the president and I are -- are excited to accept -- is -- is really to -- to be a bridge-builder, I think in some ways, between Europe and the United States.

I -- I've said repeatedly that I think, you know, Europe is an important ally of the United States. The individual countries within Europe are important allies of the United States. But, of course, we have some disagreements, as friends sometimes do, on issues like trade, and we also have many agreements and many things that we can work on together.

And I'm looking forward to this conversation. So, I appreciate Prime Minister Meloni's hospitality. I pr- -- appreciate Commissioner von der Leyen being here and being willing to engage in this conversation. I think we'll have a great conversation and hopefully will be the beginning of some long-term trade negotiations and some long-term trade advantages between both Europe and the United States.

PRESIDENT VON DER LEYEN: Yes. First of all, thank you very much, dear Giorgia, for your hospitality, for having received us here today, for enabling this trilateral. So, a wonderful day in the Vatican. Thank you very much for that.

And, Vice President, it's good to see you again. We've met in Paris, now here in Rome. And as you said, we have a very special and close relationship.

If I may look at trade, indeed, we have the largest trade relationship in the world --

VICE PRESIDENT VANCE: Sure.

PRESIDENT VON DER LEYEN: -- with more than $1.5 trillion per year. Very much intertwined. So, indeed, it is important, now we've exchanged papers, that our experts are deep-diving, discussing the details. Everybody knows that the devil is in the detail. But what unites us is that, at the end, we want together to have a good deal for both sides.

I would like also to raise the topic of Ukraine. What unites us is that we want a just and lasting peace.

VICE PRESIDENT VANCE: Sure.

PRESIDENT VON DER LEYEN: And I know how much you are engaged in ending this war, and I thank you for that. So, what is important now is certainly that we push that things are moving forward, and I think the next week will be crucial on that.

And finally, perhaps an important topic between us also is the topic of defense. And I know that the European member states have to step up the investment in defense. This is why, as a coalition, we have enabled the use of up to €800 billion in the next four years for defense investment. And this, of course, will strengthen the European Union. But we know what a strong Europe means: always, also, a strong NATO.

So, we will certainly take stock at the NATO Summit, but today, very glad to be here for this trilateral.

And thank you very much again, Giorgia.

PRIME MINISTER MELONI: You're welcome.

(Speaks Italian.) (No translation provided.)

I was saying thank to all the people that have been working this morning to allow --

PRESIDENT VON DER LEYEN: Yes.

PRIME MINISTER MELONI: -- the ceremony to be perfect.

(Speaks Italian.) (No translation provided.)

VICE PRESIDENT VANCE: Thank you all. Take care.

PRIME MINISTER MELONI: Thank you.