"The war in Ukraine places the European Union in front of one of the most serious crises in its history. A crisis that is both humanitarian, security, energy and economic". These are the words of the Prime Minister, Mario Draghi , this morning at the plenary of the European Parliament .
An intervention, that of the Italian premier, opened with a moving memory to David Sassoli , and preceded by the intervention of President Roberta Metsola , who recalled the work of Draghi who "gave confidence to citizens and banks" and his expertise even more important in a "moment in which Europe faces other existential challenges such as the war in Ukraine, another moment 'whatever it takes'".
NEXT GENERATION EU - With Covid "we approved the Next Generation EU, the first major European reconstruction project, funded with the contribution of all, to meet the needs of each one. The same readiness and determination, the same spirit of solidarity, they must guide us in the challenges we face ", recalled Draghi .
"PRAGMATIC FEDERALISM" - "The European institutions that our predecessors built over the past decades have served European citizens well, but are inadequate for the reality that is manifesting itself today", he added. "We need a pragmatic federalism, which embraces all areas affected by the transformations underway: from the economy, to energy, to security. If this requires the beginning of a path that will lead to the revision of the Treaties , it should be embraced with courage and with confidence ".
"OUTRAGED HUMANITY" - "The aggression of Ukraine by Russia has called into question the greatest achievement of the European Union: peace in our continent", the premier's words. "A peace based on respect for territorial borders , the rule of law, democratic sovereignty; on the use of diplomacy as a means of resolving disputes between states "." We must support Ukraine, its government and its people, as President Zelensky has asked and continues to ask to do. In a war of aggression there can be no equivalence between those who invade and those who resist ”.
“The pandemic and the war have called the European institutions to responsibilities never assumed until now”, the clarification. “The geopolitical framework is in rapid and profound transformation. We must move with the utmost speed. And we must make sure that the management of the crises we are experiencing does not bring us to the starting point, but allows a transition towards a fairer and more sustainable economic and social model ”. And he added: “A peace based on respect for territorial borders, the rule of law, democratic sovereignty; on the use of diplomacy as a means of resolving disputes between states; on respect for human rights, outraged in Mariupol, Bucha , and in all the places where the violence of the Russian army against unarmed civilians was unleashed ”.
"WE WANT UKRAINE IN THE EU -" The full integration of the countries that manifest European aspirations does not represent a threat to the stability of the European project. It is part of its realization ", the premier reiterated." Italy supports the immediate opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, in line with the decision taken by the European Council in March 2020. We want to give new impetus to the negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro, and ensure the utmost attention to the legitimate expectations of Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo. We are in favor of the entry of all these countries and we want Ukraine to join the EU ". "Italy - the clarification - as a founding country of the European Union, as a country that deeply believes in peace, is ready to commit itself on the front line to reach a diplomatic solution ".
THE SANCTIONS - "The war in Ukraine has shown the profound vulnerability of many of our countries towards Moscow. Italy is one of the most exposed member states", added Draghi. "Such an energy dependence is imprudent from an economic point of view, and dangerous from a geopolitical point of view. Italy intends to take all the decisions necessary to defend its own security and that of Europe. We have supported the sanctions that the EU has adopted. decided to impose on Russia, even those in the energy sector. We will continue to do so with the same conviction in the future ".
"GAS CAP" - As for the cost of gas "since the beginning of the crisis, Italy has asked to put a European ceiling on the prices of gas imported from Russia. Moscow sells nearly two-thirds of its exports to the EU, largely through pipelines that cannot be redirected to other buyers. Our proposal would allow us to use our bargaining power to reduce the exorbitant costs that weigh on our economies today. This measure would allow us to reduce the sums we send to Putin every day, and which inevitably finance his military campaign ".
"TIME FOR STRONG DECISIONS" - As for the energy crisis "in Italy - recalled Draghi - in the first 4 months of this year, the price of electricity quadrupled compared to the same period last year with a very severe impact on the economy ". "Italy alone has spent around 30 billion euros this year". But "the problem is systemic and must be solved with structural solutions that break the link between the price of gas and that of electricity. The problem of the cost of energy will be at the center of the next European Council. Strong decisions are needed. and immediate ".
"DETERMINATION, VISION AND UNITY" - So the conclusion, recalling how "good governance is not limited to responding to the crises of the moment. It is moving immediately to anticipate those to come. The fathers of Europe have shown us how to make democracy effective in our continent in its progressive transformations. European integration is the best ally we have to face the challenges that history places before us. Today, as in all the decisive junctions since the postwar period, we need determination, vision, unity. I'm sure we will be able to find them once again, together ”.
(Unioneonline / vl)