Mario Draghi and Angela Markel lthey have been working together for a long time. Ever since he was president of the ECB and uttered the now famous "Whatever it takes" to save the euro and she, as Chancellor of the leading economy in the Eurozone, tried to keep "the German hawks" at bay and encourage a greater political, monetary and economic integration between the states of the European Union.
Today Angela Merkel came to Italy for her last official visit after 16 years at the head of the German government. To receive it in Rome he found Draghi himself, this time in the role of Italian Prime Minister, called to manage the funds from the Next Generation EU, which without the initiative and support of the Chancellor could never have seen the light.
During their meeting, the two discussed European cooperation on energy and the environment and the impact that EU energy policies could have on businesses. They also spoke of the new American foreign policy, finding themselves “on the need to accelerate the processes of building a foreign policy and a European defence“, Draghi made it known. During their talks, the two heads of government finally discussed the Libyan crisis in view of the Paris conference on November 2nd and Afghanistan just a few days before the extraordinary G20 scheduled for October 12th.
“I want to thank Chancellor Merkel for her visit to Rome. This is probably your last bilateral visit to Italy, and I therefore want to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of the Government but also on my own for the decisive role you have played in designing the future of Europe over the past sixteen years", he said Draghi opening the joint press conference at the Salone dei Galleoni. The Prime Minister recalled how since 2005, the year in which Merkel took over the leadership of the German government, to date, Europe has been forced to face various difficult moments, from the great recession to the Euro crisis up to the pandemic of Covid-19. "The Chancellor has been able to lead Germany and the European Union with calm, determination and sincere Europeanism", said the Premier, also highlighting that "Merkel has been a champion of multilateralism when other countries stood up for protectionism and isolationism. He had the courage to defend the values of open democracies during the crises in Syria and Ukraine. And she was an example for many girls and young women interested in political life. She has transformed Germany's role in Europe. We will miss her, but I'm sure we will be able to see her other times in Italy - perhaps on occasions of greater relaxation - given her love for our country".
Draghi then added that Merkel “played a decisive role in the creation of the Next Generation EU programme, a tangible sign of the European Union's solidarity with the countries most affected by the pandemic, and an extraordinary opportunity to relaunch economic growth in Italy in a robust, fair and sustainable way". When the Next generation Eu “turns into a success, as I hope and am sure – continued the chief executive – we will grow much more, we will be much more credible and we will be able to think that this type of effort is not unique. It is always the same thing: solidarity goes together with responsibility”.
Responding to questions from journalists, the premier finally stated that "Italy remains Italy, cannot represent Europe alone or lead the destinies of Europe as I have heard and seen written these days. What is important is that the collaboration within the European Union be strengthened".
“Maybe it will be our last bilateral meeting, I am very pleased to be here. In a few months of collaboration, a very close collaboration has been created", confirmed Merkel, complimenting Draghi because "Even when he was at the Central Bank we collaborated and Draghi was a guarantor of the euro“, He stressed.
Speaking of the current problems afflicting Europe, from the energy crisis to the shortage of chips, Merkel said that the European Union must be "well prepared" in developing a new strategy: "Europe is no longer at the top of the innovation compared to other countries on the planet and we need to process more the production of chips and in electronics and energy efficiency,” he added.
“We also have to work on the future investments to make, starting from the Covid crisis and we must carry out community work”, added Merkel who then underlined Italy's role in the Libyan crisis. "We have to work together, also on Libya where Italy is very involved", she said again. "This it's time for collaboration“, Merkel stressed. "My love for Italy will continue" concluded the Chancellor, promising that "I will return to Italy in other guises".
Angela Merkel's visit to Rome began this morning at the Vatican, where the Chancellor had a 45-minute conversation with the Pope behind closed doors. "Was a great honor and a joy meet Pope Francis in private audience, whom I will see again this afternoon at Sant'Egidio. We had exchanges on the problems of the Church, but also on political challenges, such as those of the European Union”, after “the Pope recently visited Eastern Europe. We discussed the Climate Conference which is taking place in Glasgow. In the interview it was very important l'Paris Agreement, and it is encouraging that there is also this theme of conservation of creation in the Catholic Church”, concluded Merkel.
