“The Italian government has made a fundamental contribution to arriving – after a fierce negotiation that lasted months – at Next Generation EU”: in short “Italy was absolutely not absent” from the negotiating table for the distribution of funds. This is stated by European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Paolo Gentiloni taking part in the presentation of the latest book by Marcello Messori and Buti at the Palazzo dell’Informazione of the GM group
“The division of the plan between the different countries was a proposal from the Commission which several countries accepted as such” he recalls, explaining that “the only thing that was included was an adjustment to be verified after two years, which was neutral for Italy “. In short, “the proposal entered and exited the Council as it is”, he adds.
“A common defense could be one of the areas in which it is possible to make progress” in the next European legislature, Gentiloni said.
“European defense – remember, it has been discussed for more than a quarter of a century but so far limited progress has been made while EU countries purchase 75% of their defense systems outside the Union”: but “there are wars and tensions , the world tells us we need a common defense.” “The Baltic countries normally included in the category of countries most reluctant to pool funds, however when it comes to common defense they are in favor. And so this could be the right time” concludes Gentiloni.
“Many of the parties that met yesterday in Madrid said until some time ago ‘let’s leave Europe’. Today no longer: however, they want a Europe that goes back, in which the size of the Union is smaller and steps forward have been made in recent years, the economy, defense and transition have been overturned”, states the European Commissioner for Economic Affairs. In this sense “a good affirmation of the socialist family at the next European elections can make a contribution to moving forward” on the path of greater integration where – he observes – “the Popolari are crossed by both the push to move forward and the push to go back”.
As for the vote, “we hope that many people will go to vote” he adds, observing that “there is little talk about the fact that we also vote on Saturday and not on Monday, something unusual for us Italians”.
