A summit under the banner of understanding and common visions. The "most acute phase of the crisis is over" and now we need to focus "on the future Europe": Prime Minister Mario Monti underlined this at the end of this afternoon's meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "With Chancellor Merkel we agree that the most acute phase of the crisis has passed, but we cannot relax," added the Italian prime minister. “We must work together for a European strategy" that aims to increase growth "through greater attention to services for innovation, job mobility and the increase of network industries, while maintaining financial and budgetary stability”.
“Each of our countries must strive for greater competitiveness, greater balance and growth,” Merkel reiterated. “People need jobs, growth and competitiveness, in a changed world where competition is ever stronger and where the European Union must defend itself against emerging powers, we must defend ourselves together”. "I admire the courage of the Italian government", she wanted to clarify.
“We want a stronger Europe and each member country must do its duty,” Merkel said, recalling that the EU represents 7% of the world's population and that it must work together to pursue common goals. “We have not yet reached the end of the road to make Europe more competitive”. And these are the points on which we must insist: competitiveness and jobs, especially for young people.
On the Tobin Tax “the positions of Italy and Germany coincide“Monti said. “We need to introduce a tax on financial transactions and this must be realistic and not distortive. This is why it must be applied to a large number of countries, certainly the euro area”.
As far as foreign policy is concerned, both the chancellor and the Italian premier agree on the drama of the situation in Syria. They will also continue to keep an eye on the Iranian situation and, as Merkel recalled, “we have both the hope that Tehran will agree to return to real negotiations".
When asked if Monti wanted to assume the presidency of the Eurogroup, the prime minister replied: "Do you think that an Italian Prime Minister can assume other tasks?".
The two premiers will now meet with the Head of State, Giorgio Napolitano, at the Quirinale.
