There must be "more Italy in Europe". The president said so Giorgia Meloni in its communications to the Chamber in view of the its first European Council scheduled for December 15-16. Two days in which the energy crisis and ways of supporting theUkraine. The Premier affirmed that the EU must be "united against Russian aggression", but she also reiterated Italy's dissatisfaction with the EU commission's proposal on the gas price ceiling.
Meloni: "Italy protagonist in the EU"
“We have always debated, sometimes decisively, vehemently, around the hypothesis that there should be more or less Europe in Italy. We have hardly ever wondered whether there should be more or less Italy in Europe. Our goal, rather than more Europe in Italy, is more Italy in Europe, as befits a great founding nation”, the Prime Minister said to the Chamber, underlining that: “It was no coincidence that the first trip abroad as Prime Minister was to the European institutions. It was a choice that moved from the conviction and awareness that it would not have been difficult to demonstrate how far the reality of the government was from a certain defeatist and interested story made abroad and the conviction that Italy can and must play a leading role in Europe having as its polar star the defense of the national interest”, highlighted Meloni.
“We are an indispensable pillar for the economic and social growth of the EU – he said – this is the Italy we want to represent at the European Council”.
Meloni: "United EU against Russian aggression"
“Italy, the founding state of both the Atlantic Alliance and Europe, will do its part: Europe must be united against Russian aggression. We have not changed our minds, our convictions do not change whether we are in government or in opposition" reiterated the Prime Minister, adding that "the space for maneuver for the ceasefire appears very limited today but Italy will in any case support efforts in this regard. The European Union must assume a more incisive role on this front for the benefit of the whole continent”.
“Like it or not to those who, in some ways understandably, would like to turn away, the conflict in Ukraine concerns us all, for this reason we will continue to commit ourselves with conviction and open face to every diplomatic effort useful for the cessation of Russian aggression”, added the Premier.
Referring to sanctions imposed on Russia, Meloni admitted that “they are painful for our productive fabric but they are effective: they are having an effect on Russia. The costs for Moscow must be higher than those borne by Europe. For this we will monitor the effects of these measures, especially with regard to energy ”she said.
“We must not allow Putin to use the food shortage as a weapon against Europe, as it is already doing with gas and oil – continued the Premier – Tackling the lack of food also concerns European security as a consequence of the instability of African countries”. To "pursue the objective of assisting the Ukrainian people" military aid is also needed. Because, I repeat, beyond the easy propaganda, the possible conditions for ending hostilities there are 2: that one surrenders (but if it were Ukraine it would not be peace, but an invasion), or that there is a substantial balance, a stalemate between the forces in the field", which would force "whoever initiated the invasion to desist and come to milder advice”, he concluded.
Meloni: "Unsatisfactory EU proposal on gas"
“The European Council is once again dealing with the impact of energy prices. The goal is an energy security process” on which “Italy has been in the front row for months for a dynamic price ceiling. For now, the answer from the European Commission is unsatisfactory and unworkable. It is essential to curb speculation: the stakes on energy are very high because it defines Europe's ability to defend its families and businesses” while avoiding having “a two-speed EU”, explained Meloni. “It is clear to everyone that a mechanism of different protections for companies in different countries would cause a distortion of the single market which would jeopardize the whole of Europe: by now it is the majority of states who are asking with us for a dynamic ceiling on the price of gas. Going in random order, thinking of saving oneself at the expense of others, is not only an illusion but would betray an idea of a Europe different from the one praised in recent years”, Meloni reiterated.
Meloni: "The US plan against inflation is a cause for concern"
Turning to high prices, the Premier stated that the "Inflation Reduction Act", the United States plan against inflation "gives concern: we cannot hide the potential distortive and discriminatory effects towards the European businesses that it could generate”.
Meloni on migrants: "We won't pretend it's okay"
The Prime Minister also spoke about the issue of migrants, stating that “Italy is bearing the greatest burden in the face of human trafficking in the Mediterranean. We're not going to pretend that's okay. When we read of firefights between Libyans and human traffickers or smugglers who throw migrants overboard, we are increasingly convinced that enriching these cynical third millennium slavers has nothing to do with the concept of solidarity" Meloni clarified.
