Greece has signed a major agreement with Italy to modernize its transportation system and strengthen energy cooperation following last year’s deadly Tempe train crash. The railway agreement, worth a total of 360 million euros, is seen as an indication of the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.
Prime Ministers Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Giorgia Meloni announced this critical agreement during the 2nd High-Level Cooperation Council in Rome. Prime Minister Mitsotakis stated that his country has committed to investing over €400 million to improve its railway infrastructure and safety technologies. This investment reflects the importance given to transport safety following the tragic accident in Tempe.
Italy Makes Major Investment in Greek Railways
The most important part of the deal is a €360 million investment by Italy’s national railway company, Ferrovie dello Stato, to modernise Greece’s passenger services. This extensive investment includes the purchase of 23 new modern trains and the construction of high-tech depots for long-term fleet maintenance. Hellenic Train (an Italian subsidiary) which has operated Greece’s railway system since 2017 is expected to significantly improve the quality of its service. The tragic accident near Tempe has highlighted serious security gaps in Greece’s railway system, leading to renewed investment and tighter timetables for improvements.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the railway agreement as a strategic step, stressing that Italy shares Greece’s concerns on issues such as migration and defense. It is seen that the cooperation between the two countries is not limited to transportation, but is also strengthening in line with regional security and common interests.
Energy Cooperation is Also Strengthening
Cooperation between Greece and Italy is also gaining significant momentum in the energy sector. The two countries aim to triple their electricity transfer capacity to 1.500 MW under a new ADMIE-TERNA agreement. This agreement reflects the vision of both countries to increase energy security and contribute to regional energy markets. The increase in electricity transfer capacity is considered an important step that will facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources and strengthen energy supply security.
A Shared Vision on Immigration, Defense and Trade
Prime Minister Mitsotakis stressed that Greece and Italy face common geopolitical and security challenges, calling for more frequent summits and deeper coordination within the European Union (EU), particularly on defence and migration policies. The two leaders voiced strong support for border security, the elimination of human trafficking networks and the strengthening of legal migration frameworks. Mitsotakis described Italy as Greece’s strongest EU partner on migration issues, emphasising the importance of the two countries’ close cooperation in this area.
Prime Minister Meloni also reaffirmed that both countries support the ceasefire efforts in Ukraine and the Western Balkans’ EU integration process. He also underlined the expansion of energy and digital connections through joint initiatives such as Blue Med and Green Med. These projects aim to make a significant contribution to regional development and economic cooperation.
Both leaders reaffirmed their desire to avoid potential trade conflicts with the United States and maintain a united Western front. “We are ready to lead together on multiple fronts,” Meloni said, stressing Italy and Greece’s determination to take a common stance on the international stage.
In conclusion, the €360 million railway agreement confirms Italy’s commitment to helping Greece modernise its infrastructure, while Greece positions itself as a reliable regional partner through strategic cooperation. This agreement and the energy partnerships show that relations between the two countries are strengthening not only economically but also politically and strategically. This close cooperation between Greece and Italy can also play an important role in regional stability and the future of Europe.
