Brussels, 21/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - Massimo D'Alema, Italian prime minister from 1998 to 2000 and foreign minister in the Prodi government from 2006 onwards, has made an analysis of the current economic situation in the EU. He held a press conference at the “Call to Europe” conference organised on 21-22 June by the Social Democrat think tank, Foundation for European Progressive Studies, which D'Alema heads.
D'Alema says Europe and the rest of the world expect EU heads of state to come up with tangible decisions at the summit on 28-29 June on Greece (which should be given more time to implement its commitments); an EU debt policy, with more active intervention from the ECB or EFSF to buy struggling countries' bonds and reduce their spread; and growth stimulus in Europe through an EU investment programme and allowing member states to invest in their own country under the golden rule.
Asked about the ideas submitted last week by the French president, François Hollande, to the other EU heads of state about relations with Germany, D'Alema said that France and Italy had the same interests in this connection and the two countries would be cooperating closely without isolating Germany, because Italy was planning to ratify the fiscal compact and move closer to Germany in terms of greater budget and political integration in Europe. On the latter point, there were new openings from France, he said, and Hollande may be more open on the question of political integration in Europe. He said the deal with Germany would be for a stronger, more integrated Europe, along with a Europe that is pledged to stimulating growth. D'Alema also talked about the option of a political agreement with the German chancellor and called for stronger common institutions.
On pressure on Italy from the European Commission to get it to introduce labour market reforms before next week's European summit, D'Alema said there wouldn't be any obstacles to this from the Italian government, but the Commission is often too much under the influence of the strongest member states and concern itself more with European issues and less with Italian questions. D'Alema said that his party, Partito Democratico, was planning to support the Monti government reforms to the hilt before taking over in a few months (it expects to win the upcoming general elections). (FG/transl.fl)