There is no peace around the headquarters Ema. Last November Amsterdam has mocked Milan in the race to win the post-Brexit headquarters of theEuropean Medicines Agency, but now it turns out that he will not be able to meet the deadlines. So the Italian government is back on the attack, despite knowing that by now the hopes of overturning the Brussels verdict are minimal. Indeed, Brussels is holding back: the decision "was taken by the 27 member states and we have nothing to say" in this regard, said European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas, after Italy's decision to appeal.
Let's start from the beginning. In a joint press conference with the Dutch authorities, the director of the Agency, Guido Rasi, announced that the building in Amsterdam intended for the EMA headquarters it will not be usable in time for the transfer from London and that the transitional solution proposed by the Dutch "is not optimal", because the space available will be half that of the British headquarters. The double move would also have two other negative consequences: it would increase costs and lengthen the time to return to full operation.
For these reasons, sources at Palazzo Chigi have communicated that the government will intervene to the European Commission and the Community institutions to have the decision that saw Milan beaten in the final draw reconsidered.
“I called Gentiloni – said the mayor of Milan, beppe room – and I told him: it's time to be aggressive, let's do it, let's try, to the end. From what he told me, and it will certainly be so, the appeal starts today. I don't think it will take very long. Let's be honest, the chances of a reassignment of the headquarters in Milan are not very high, but we have to try".
Sala also clarified his position better with a post on Facebook:
The Undersecretary for European Affairs, Sandro Gozi, explained that “if the European Parliament were to declare itself against the Council's decision on the attribution of the headquarters of the EU Medicines Agency to Amsterdam, a discussion would open up between the two institutions, as always happens: the role of the Parliament in the process in course is evident, it is a legislative and political role”.
The Speaker of the House also spoke on the matter, Laura Boldrini, with a tweet:
Amsterdam is not ready to host the drug agency. The government proposes again the choice of #Milan
It is important to act quickly in the interests of European citizens #Ema- laura boldrini (@lauraboldrini) 29 January 2018
But the EU Commission meanwhile lets it be known that the decision was taken by the 27 member states and there is nothing to add.
