EP President Roberta Metsola attends the opening ceremony of the G7 Speakers conference in Verona, where the Chamber of Deputies hosts the 22nd Meeting of the Presidents of the Lower Houses of the G7 Countries and the European Parliament as part of Italy's G7 presidency. The discussions, held from 5 to 7 September 2024, center on key themes: 1) Security and Development—new geopolitical balances and access to strategic resources; 2) The G7 for Africa and the Mediterranean—common challenges in stability and growth; and 3) Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the protection of national interests, with parliaments playing a key role in the digital transition. A final Declaration is expected at the conclusion of the meeting.

official visit

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

Italy

Verona

opening ceremony

MATTARELLA, Sergio (IT)

G7 Summit (T)

president's agenda

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Verona (Italy) - G7 Speakers conference: extracts from the opening ceremony in the presence of Sergio MATTARELLA, President of Italy

Exterior shots of Verona (italy), 2 shots

Arrivals of autorities at the G7 speaker conference (1 shot)

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Lorenzo FONTANA, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, The city of Verona has seen people who have forged political and cultural history: Catullo, Mozart, Goethe, Napoleon, and has inspired artists such as Shakespeare. The fact that all the fellow presidents of the partner countries are present together with their colleagues from the host countries testifies to the growing interest that this meeting is taking in the field of parliamentary diplomacy. In welcoming you again to Italy. I leave the floor to the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, whom I thank once again for his presence.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Sergio MATTARELLA, President of Italy, It is an honor for me to open this meeting of the Presidents of the Lower Houses of the G7 Parliaments. It is an event that enriches the international calendar of parliamentary diplomacy, with an opportunity for dialogue between democracies that in this historic phase assumes a decisive value for the future of our society. Peoples have found in the international vocation of parliaments, which dates back to the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1889, an instrument of dialogue and mutual understanding. Cooperation finds in them the place of choices to promote common values of peace, stability and prosperity. No country can think of solving on its own the global issues related to economic growth, to the challenges of migration or to the increasingly complex issues of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. David Sassoli, the never forgotten President of the European Parliament, emphasized that our democratic systems must constantly adapt and evolve to meet the new realities we face. Democracy is being built every day. Let's be brave, we don't have to be afraid of it. Let us reiterate these words of his.