Italy's new prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, says her country will work with the European Union to address common concerns, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Meloni was sworn in as Italy's leader after a right-wing alliance won a majority in both houses in last month's elections. Her party, Brothers of Italy, garnered the most support.

The new prime minister delivered her first policy speech in parliament's lower house on Tuesday.

She said, "For us, the European Union is the common home of the peoples of Europe and as such it must be able to face the great challenges of our time, starting with those that the member states can hardly face alone."

Meloni stressed that Italy will continue to work with the EU to address Russia's moves to hold back natural gas supplies to Europe.

She said that giving in to Russian President Vladimir Putin's "blackmail on energy" will not solve the problem.

Meloni has affirmed Italy's intention to continue providing aid to Ukraine.

Observers say her emphasis on cooperation with the EU was aimed at dispelling international concerns over her nationalistic "Italy first" assertion.