Called to deal with an already difficult commitment in itself, which has almost become a "mission impossible" in a context of persistent economic and financial difficulties as well as the growing dislike of large sections of the population towards Europe, Mario Monti he chooses diplomatic language seasoned with a splash of irony. "We will look for new ways to make it a little more difficult for the EU member states and the 28 national parliaments to reject the proposals that we are going to present next year", the senator for life points out.
Who returned to Brussels a year ago to lead the high-level group - nine highly experienced politicians, three for each of the top institutions of the European Union (Parliament, Council and Commission) - called to draw up a proposal for a radical overhaul of the system of EU own resources. In simple words, the financial income of the European budget.
Monti speaks in Rome, at the Spazio Europa, the room shared by the Representation of the European Commission and the Information Office of the European Parliament, in a meeting organized by the Italian Council of the European Movement. “I came here above all to listen to your ideas…”, the senator for life cleverly begins addressing a large audience of people who are mostly educated on European issues. And more specifically to the four economists (Alfredo De Feo, Alfonso Iozzo, Alberto Majocchi, Marcello Messori) and the journalist (Roberto Sommella, director of external relations and institutional relations of the Competition and Market Authority) whose speeches had been planned .
"I am not here to anticipate the proposals that we will present at the conclusion of the work of the group that I have been called to chair for the simple reason that these proposals have not yet been defined", Monti further clarifies. “Up to now – further specifies the president of the interinstitutional group – we have developed an evaluation of the existing system of resources, which was launched in 1970 and has undergone more than one modification since then. A system which, as confirmed by the verification to which we subjected it, presents gaps and causes drawbacks”.
“This system in force today is characterized by a truly excessive complexity. But – underlines Monti – it is unable to guarantee the European Union the financial resources necessary to enable it to achieve its most ambitious objectives. And therefore it requires a general review inspired by criteria of simplicity, transparency, fairness and democratic accountability".
These criteria will refer to the proposals that the group chaired by Mario Monti will present in a first summary version most likely in June next year on the occasion of an interinstitutional and interparliamentary conference in which they will take part - in addition to representatives of the Parliament, the Commission and of the European Councils – also those of the national Parliaments.
“Of all the 28 member states of the European Union, not only therefore of the 19 of the Eurozone”, Monti is keen to point out. He knows very well, and declares it explicitly, that in this way it will be more difficult to reach unanimous consent, a condition imposed by the Treaties. But, as a convinced pro-European, he wants to play the game of more complete integration to the end.
And he knows well, Monti, that the match in question, as well as being very, very demanding, will also be long. He knows that his group will need a year to thoroughly consider all the pros and cons of every aspect of the proposal that will be fired at the end of next year. He knows that it will not be easy, even if it is essential, to obtain the consent of all the national Parliaments and Governments.
“When the reform proposals are announced at the June 2016 conference, our group will be caught in the crossfire. I am fully aware of the fact that the issue is not tackled willingly by national governments”, acknowledges the senator for life. Who, on the other hand, knows that "the adoption of common fiscal policies in 28 Member States with the obligation of unanimity is a company that will make your wrists tremble".
All the more reason – Monti recognizes this – in a political, economic and social context such as the one Europe is currently experiencing. A continent affected by economic stagnation, unemployment, the detachment of citizens from national and European institutions. And now also crossed by winds of war. "Unfortunately the context is less suitable for proposing reforms that public opinion, populist and otherwise, will be inclined to perceive as new taxes", observes Roberto Sommella. Who, addressing Monti, exclaims: "President, if you will allow me the expression, you seem to have only the last shot to fire...".
And Monti: “This reference to the last blow… strikes me. And it encourages me to urge you all to temper expectations regarding own resources reform. But also to affirm that it is precisely in situations like this that it is time to throw your heart beyond the obstacle”.
