Germany and Italy Launch New Dialogue Format at the Embassy
“Building Bridges in Europe” opens platform for exchange with Der Tagesspiegel
February 03rd, 2026
Just days after the German–Italian government consultations, during which Italy and Germany reaffirmed their shared commitment to intensifying cooperation for a more competitive and secure Europe, the event “Building Bridges in Europe: Germany and Italy in Dialogue” took place on the 28th of January 2026 at the Embassy. This inaugural meeting of a new Italian–German dialogue format was jointly organised with the publishing house Der Tagesspiegel GmbH, with the objective of creating a platform for open exchange, constructive dialogue, and forward-looking discussion.
The opening evening brought together representatives from politics, business, and civil society for an informal “fireside chat” that explored key questions surrounding Europe’s competitiveness as well as its financial and strategic resilience. Discussions were conducted in a relaxed atmosphere, encouraging candid reflections and the sharing of diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing Europe today.
Moderated by Anja Wehler-Schöck of Der Tagesspiegel, the first segment, entitled “Competitiveness and Global Pressure,” featured Dr Kay Lindemann, Head of Corporate Policy and Representative of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa. This was followed by a conversation on “Finance and Capital Markets – with Integrated Impulse,” in which Stefan Lehmann, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Germany, engaged in dialogue with Moritz Heuberger, Member of Parliament for Alliance 90/The Greens. The evening concluded with a panel discussion on “Security, Resilience and Capacity to Act,” with the participation of Barbara Gessler, Representative of the European Commission in Germany.
The launch of “Building Bridges in Europe: Germany and Italy in Dialogue” reflects the strong partnership between Germany and Italy and their shared determination to address common European challenges through dialogue and cooperation. The organisers expressed confidence that this new format will become a lasting platform for exchange, contributing meaningfully to the strengthening of European cohesion, resilience, and mutual understanding.
