But in the end, after the Greek problem and the consequent controversies, can we still say that Germany is Euro-convinced or is it becoming, as some claim, Euro-sceptic? This was what the students of the Bocconi University in Milan were most interested in understanding (including several foreigners and Germans) who this afternoon welcomed – and applauded – the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Christian Wulff.
Giorgio Napolitano's counterpart responded in an ecumenical way, but not too much: “Of course Germany is convinced of Europe, indeed with its choices it is increasingly a supporter of it. This is demonstrated by Chancellor Angela Merkel's good relations with her European colleagues and her umpteenth commitment to Greece ”. But there is always a but: “It is nevertheless true – explained Wulff – that there is great concern about the continental debt crisis and the Greek situation in particular. That's why the Chancellor often talks about 'homework'. It is not arrogance, it is simply a duty on your part to remind that aid must be followed by a certain conduct on the part of the national government ”.
And what are the solutions, according to the German president, to ensure that the Greek economy returns to being useful to Europe and no longer a ballast? “Focusing on development: for example, for energy, which is and must be one of the central themes of the future of the EU, one could involve Athens in a major project on renewable energy, exploiting their photovoltaic and wind potential”.
So help yes, but with caution. “The European system is unique in the world – recalls Wulff -, in no other part of the planet have a group of countries united in such an equal way. China is not to Laos as Germany is to Malta. But we must ensure that this model holds up and that Europe, which has always been a subject of globalisation, does not now dramatically become the object of globalisation, suffering from the greater power of Asia and the emerging areas”.
To keep the European Union on its feet, according to the federal president of Germany, the fiscal compact is not enough: “It is an important measure, but not sufficient. It is useless to provide firewalls if the danger comes from within. If we save Greece, we are protected. Otherwise, who saves the saviors? A system with a central bank that does not issue money, and inflation this high, is not good”.
Finally, the inevitable tribute to Italy and the Monti government: “I appreciate your premier very much, he is doing a lot of work in the right direction: pensions, liberalization and now the labor market. It is a demanding reform, but we must have the courage to make unpopular choices”.
No other closure could be better, in the university of which Mario Monti is still the president, as the rector Guido Tabellini, who was present at the meeting, recalled.
