Mattarella: "The EU must defend values, not be a fortress. Covid has highlighted its central role"

• Mattarella: "We can only be saved by being together"

• Mattarella in conversation with the Pope for his end-of-mandate visit

• Mattarella: building inclusive societies, opportunities for everyone

• Mattarella: "In the pandemic, further proof of the courage of volunteering"

• Mattarella: "Italianness also experienced Covid pain, global challenges no one can face alone"

• Mattarella: "I'll be back at Sapienza a few weeks after the end of my mandate"

Share

December 20, 2021 "The pandemic has highlighted the vitality and added value of the European construction which has pooled resources for research and the purchase of vaccines" and which with the Next generation Eu "has managed to build a response to devastating economic effects of the crisis ". This was stated by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella speaking at the XIV conference of ambassadors at the Farnesina, recalling that this is "the last opportunity in which I can address your community". "The development of an EU defense capability is an essential step" to achieve "strategic autonomy", added the President of the Republic.

"Looking at the past seven years, I can only point out that the activity of the Presidency of the Republic would not have been possible without the Foreign Ministry - he then underlined - Thanks to the commitment of the Farnesina, the Republic promotes the objectives of peace and cooperation" which they are the tradition of our foreign policy, strengthening the Italian "soft power".

"The 21st century must not be lived with the resignation of an ineluctable marginalization of the European area", even if "the political and economic center of gravity seems to shift from the Atlantic to the Pacific" and "the EU and Africa must question themselves" on the their role said Mattarella again. Then he explains: "The choice to gradually shift the center of gravity of US policies towards the Pacific requires an increasingly direct assumption of responsibility on the part of European interlocutors". "In the framework of a balanced relationship, Europe is called to play a more important role in defining the strategy of the Atlantic Alliance". 

"Cohesion among liberal democracies remains a priority and constitutes the nucleus around which to strengthen a broad and close connection between the countries with a democratic order" of the European Union - he continued - The defense of liberal-democratic values ​​and the rule of law at the within our continent and beyond it - starting with that cardinal principle of the European construction represented by the primacy of Community law - is, in this sense, essential. These are values ​​- the Head of State remarked - which must nevertheless be practiced and lived, both through the strengthening of the irreversibly democratic character of European citizenship, and in the management of the crises facing Europe. The attitude of Fortress Europe with respect to human rights ",put in place by some countries, "does not correspond to the values ​​of this EU".

"The reform of the institutions and decision-making processes of the Union, including budgetary rules, is a necessary condition for the completion of the many construction sites open within it, as well as for the achievement of the objectives we have set for ourselves with the green and digital agendas. 'The Head of State also explains. And adds: "Europe will not be able to express itself effectively on the international scene without having responded to the growing imbalances in terms of income, access to education and health, guarantees and rights that afflict our societies and which risk undermining the foundations of the cohesion of our democracies'.

"The development of a defense capability by the EU represents an essential step in the necessary path of strategic autonomy. I am convinced that the Union will be effective in pursuing this goal" concludes the Head of State.

The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella wanted to "remember" the ambassador Luca Attanasio, killed in Congo together with the carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci and the driver Mustapha Milambo, during his speech. "An example of those who had put their Italian spirit at the service of the cause of humanity", added Mattarella, noting that he "greatly appreciated the initiative undertaken by the Farnesina" which conferred the honorary title of

 "I would like to thank President Sergio Mattarella for his extraordinary contribution to our foreign policy action".

Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said today.

"From the important visits he made abroad to the numerous Heads of State he welcomed in Rome: every meeting and contact he made gave luster, prestige and authority to Italy", explained Di Maio, whose words were welcomed by a long and convinced applause in the hall.

"I thank you, on behalf of the Farnesina and my staff, for this invaluable support, also testified by your presence here today, on the eve of a very important political step for our country", added Di Maio.