After the round table in room D5 at 3 p.m., the protagonists of the meeting on “Europe of peoples, Europe of states?” answered in a press conference the journalists’ questions. Most of the questions were addressed to Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament.
The first two questions (proposed Envoy of “The Daily”) were about the last events of Silvio Berlusconi and the endurance of Letta’s government. “I did not come here to Rimini to talk about Silvio Berlusconi – said Schulz – and I think that our positions are known. Every politician must at some point make a choice between its own interests and those of your country. “Coming to the second question, the President of the European Parliament said: “I said in my speech that Europe needs a stable Italy. I think that Italy is emerging from the crisis, and I think it’s good for the country, but of course Italian parliamentarians must adopt decisions in order to avoid a governance crisis. I hope the government will remain stable. “Italy is not only one of the founding countries of Europe, but, Martin Schulz reiterated, “is still a pillar of Europe.”
In response to another question, the President said: “Germany has also experienced ‘broad agreement’, but each country is different: we are a federal state, yours is a much more centralized political system and with opposition right-left much ideologized “.
Interviewed by a Chilean journalist, spoke Luis Miguel Maduro, Portuguese Minister for Regional Development. ” Portugal experience shows that the solution to the crisis must pass through the assumption of responsibility by the States and also the Union.” Portugal is doing its part with very great sacrifices, he said Maduro, but also with recent positive results: GDP growth, falling unemployment. “Europe too – he concluded – must play a role: to promote economic growth.”
Is the European policy of rigor up to Germany? “The decisions in the Council – Schulz responded – are taken by consensus, therefore, even if Germany plays an important role, we can not say that it is a choice in Germany. With regard to the European Parliament, in years, by large majority, we said that, in addition to the work of consolidation, you have to invest in job and fight against youth unemployment. “President Schulz acknowledged that “too many Europeans believe that decisions are taken without knowing by whom and why. I think – he added – that there is a need for parliamentary legitimacy for every European decision”.
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