Mattarella: Faster decision-making by the EU is now essential
The President of the Republic pointed out that 90 per cent of Italians want greater unity amongst the Member States: ‘In the interests of today’s generation and those to come, we must press ahead with determination with the necessary internal reforms’
Key points
‘As a long-serving President over the past twelve years, I have seen a growing realisation that the Union has a vital need for more streamlined and rapid decision-making processes. Without swift decision-making, these issues in international affairs would be decided by other actors, and we in Europe would passively suffer the consequences.” These were the words of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, speaking on the need for greater European integration at the summit of 12 EU Heads of State in Arraiolos and Brdo, Slovenia.
A common defence is essential; military equipment must be interoperable
The Head of State went on to emphasise that ‘there is no need for many words regarding the necessity of collective defence; we must proceed with determination and speed towards the interoperability of our military assets, both because it is an indispensable condition for collective defence and to strengthen NATO on the European front, in order to restore the balance in relation to Russia’s posture; a balance which, throughout history, has always been the guarantee of peace, thwarting any temptations towards aggression’.
No country should go it alone in the EU; that would be an escape from reality
The President of the Republic also emphasised that ‘the European Union faces extraordinary challenges affecting its security, its prosperity and its ability to act with authority on the international stage, with significant consequences for the lives of our citizens. No country on the continent – not a single one – can envisage a future separate from that of the others: that would be an escape from reality and, even more than an illusion, an act of self-harm’.
90 per cent of Italians want greater unity amongst EU Member States
“The latest Eurobarometer figures show that around 90 per cent of our citizens,” Mattarella pointed out, “are calling for greater unity amongst Member States. In the interests of today’s generation and those to come, we must press ahead with determination on the necessary internal reforms.”
The EU’s financial framework must be sufficiently ambitious
With regard to the Multiannual Financial Framework – that is, the EU’s long-term budget – the President of the Republic emphasised that the negotiations are ‘crucial’ because ‘the choices we make will determine not only the distribution of European resources, but also the level of ambition with which Europe intends to tackle the transformations currently underway. I hope it will be sufficiently ambitious: increasing responsibilities must be matched by adequate instruments and resources to support our common priorities, strengthen cohesion and translate political objectives into a concrete capacity for action’.
