The Italy–Spain Dialogue Forum – an initiative conceived by our founder Nino Andreatta – has, for more than twenty years, brought together leading figures from politics, business, and civil society in both countries to support and deepen dialogue between their governments and to advance joint action at the European level. The initiative is supported and held under the patronage of both governments, and its proceedings regularly include senior institutional representatives.
The Forum is organized jointly by Arel, CEOE (Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales), and SEEB (Societat Barcelonina d’Estudis Econòmics i Socials de Foment del Treball). It takes place annually, alternating between Spain and Italy.
The Italy–Spain Dialogue Forum was born from an idea by Nino Andreatta.
This important initiative was one of the final acts of his political life – a farsighted intuition whose value can be fully appreciated today, perhaps even more than when it first began.
Held annually and alternating between the two countries, the Forum brings together leading figures from the political, academic, business, and civil society spheres of both nations to debate issues concerning politics, economics, and culture.
Since its inception in 1999, the Italy–Spain Dialogue Forum has become a well-established event, held regularly until 2024.
AREL dedicates a special issue of AREL – La Rivista to each edition of the Forum, publishing not only the proceedings of the meetings but also in-depth essays on the themes discussed that year.
The first meeting took place in Genoa in 1999, immediately generating significant interest on both the Italian and Spanish sides.
Local powers and national states in the Europe of the euro; bilateral relations and external projection; economic and financial systems compared – these were the topics discussed in three particularly lively working groups, setting a tone that would continue throughout the years.
Since then, on the Spanish side first CIDOB and later CEOE, and on the Italian side AREL, have continued to follow and promote this event with conviction.
From 2009 to 2013, the two capitals, Rome and Madrid, alternated in hosting the Forum’s sessions.
Following Genoa, the 2000 meeting in Barcelona introduced new working groups: European integration and enlargement and their implications for Italy and Spain; European economic policy, harmonisation and competitiveness; the information society and new technologies.
In 2001, discussions in Rome focused on the European institutional reform convention, security policies, the euro, and broader European policies.
The Valencia edition provided an opportunity to assess the progress of the European Convention and to reflect on energy policy and immigration.
In 2004, in Milan, the working groups addressed the challenges and prospects of the Stability Pact, major infrastructure networks (transport and energy), and Europe’s role in international relations.
The 2005 Forum, held in the Andalusian cities of Jaén and Granada, examined the setbacks in the process of European integration, transatlantic relations, and the future of European markets after liberalisation.
In 2006, the discussions in Verona focused on the Mediterranean dimension, infrastructure, and industrial policy.
In 2007, working groups in Toledo discussed business relations and competitiveness, alliances among Europe’s new leaders, migration, and investment in the Mediterranean.
In Pisa, in 2008, the Forum revisited the economic and cultural aspects of migration, energy dependency, and the evolving Mediterranean networks.
The Madrid edition, in 2009, looked at the post-crisis phase from the perspective of the Italian and Spanish economies and explored new opportunities for growth through entrepreneurship and academia.
In 2010, the Forum returned to Rome. Working groups tackled key reflections on the deep economic and financial crisis, the difficulties of European integration, and demographic decline.
The 2012 edition took place during an especially challenging period. The economic crisis had struck across the continent, placing both Spain and Italy in serious difficulty. Topics included the risk of a monetary system implosion, the centrality of enterprises, and the political shortcomings of Europe amid economic turmoil.
In 2013, in Rome, the Forum returned to the theme of development. The discussions were organised into four working groups dedicated to investment, education, the southern border of Europe, and infrastructure.
The 2015 Barcelona edition focused on “Spain, Italy and the EU: economic and institutional aspects of the recovery prospects”; “Business internationalisation and Europe’s commitment to new trade agreements”; and “The new economic recovery policy of the European Commission: the Juncker Plan and investment proposals from Spain and Italy.”
The XIV Forum sought common ground for revitalising growth and assessing the impact of the TTIP agreement on both countries.
Held in a particularly sensitive moment in Spanish history, the 2017 Rome edition saw broad appeals to restore dialogue. The sessions focused on the role of Italy and Spain in relaunching Europe’s economy, fostering development in Latin America, and innovation as the foundation of Europe’s competitive revival.
The sixteenth edition, held in Madrid at the Palacio de Santoña, was organised by the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and structured around four main panels focusing on key themes shared by Spain and Italy: the challenges of innovation; investment as a tool for economic and social development; political and economic relations between the European Union and Latin America; and the creation of a corridor between the Mediterranean and Africa and its strategic advantages.
Despite the pandemic, the XVII Forum was held in Rome at Palazzo dei Campanari, home to the Representation of the European Commission in Italy. Discussions focused on the two countries’ proposals for Europe’s future, economic and industrial recovery policies, innovation and digitalisation, the Next Generation EU, and the European Green Deal.
The 2021 Barcelona edition took place at Foment del Treball Nacional, Europe’s oldest employers’ association, in a hybrid format - speakers in person and guests online. The debate centred on the Next Generation EU and the national recovery plans of Spain and Italy, with a focus on ecological and digital transition.
Held at the Campidoglio - the site where the Treaties of Rome were signed in 1957 - the 2023 edition marked a full return to in-person sessions after the difficult pandemic years. Organised by AREL in collaboration with CEOE and SBEES, it addressed three key priorities for building a more united and cohesive Europe: defence and security, climate change and energy policy, and the Next Generation EU as a tool to boost competitiveness and digital transition.
The 2024 edition - the twentieth - took place in Barcelona on 3–4 December, co-organised by SBEES (Societat Barcelonesa d’Estudis Econòmics i Socials del Foment del Treball), AREL (Agenzia di Ricerche e Legislazione, founded by Nino Andreatta), and CEOE (Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations).
The two-day discussions focused on the consequences of the pandemic and recent crises, particularly Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as well as the evolving international political landscape shaped by the European and U.S. elections.
The EU’s response once again demonstrated the strength of unity and integration. The 2024 Forum thus centred on reinforcing that unity and advancing the objectives of the Next Generation EU.
The 21st edition of the Italy–Spain Dialogue Forum was held in Rome on 1–2 December 2025, once again confirming its role as a key platform for exchange between institutions, businesses, academia and the media of the two countries.
The initiative, organised by Arel together with SBEES and CEOE with the support of the Italian and Spanish governments, brought to Rome high-ranking institutional representatives, leading figures from the economic and industrial world, and scholars engaged on issues of European integration.
The work, held between the Sala della Protomoteca on the Capitoline Hill and the Luiss campus in Viale Romania, addressed the main challenges shared by both countries: competitiveness, strategic autonomy, security and defence, infrastructure, telecommunications, financial market integration, energy and the ecological transition.
The 2025 edition also introduced an academic session dedicated to the theme Towards a European Lawyer, promoted by Luiss and IE University, to explore new educational and professional models required by an increasingly integrated legal framework.
In particular, this year’s edition highlighted the strong convergence between Italy and Spain on issues such as European security, common defence, the energy transition and the need for robust digital and physical infrastructure to support the continent’s competitiveness.
Discussion on agricultural policies and food sovereignty was also central, with an intense dialogue between ministers and representatives of major companies from both countries.
With more than two decades of history, the Forum confirms the strength of cooperation between Italy and Spain and the shared commitment to strengthening Europe’s role in a rapidly changing international context.
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