Brussels, 03/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - Announcing the priorities of the 12th Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU, Italy's Representative to the EU, Stefano Sannino, laid emphasis on growth. “We will try to focus on growth”, he announced at a conference at the European Policy Centre, on Tuesday 3 June. The Presidency, which will be in place from 1 July to 31 December, will work on three main areas: “the Europe of opportunities”, with elements related to economic and financial issues, “the Europe of rights”, with issues related to justice and home affairs, and “the global Europe”, meaning the external dimensions of the EU.
The Italian Presidency will seek to define a framework for EUROPE 2020, setting itself the deadline of the December European Council. Youth employment and funding growth whilst trying to define initiatives in this area, will be priorities. “The Commission will present a report on the recommendation of economic governance, the 'two pack' and the 'six pack'. This could be an opportunity to see how much margin we have to be certain that the process is growth friendly”, Sannino added. Italy also wishes to push the real economy, with industrial policy and the digital economy. In terms of the single market, Italy wishes to complete the Single Market Act 2 and examine possible next steps. Energy and climate will also be important elements of the Presidency. The implementation of banking union, efforts to fight corruption and work on taxation (financial transactions tax) will also be continued, as will the work on the EU's own resources.
Emphasis on migration. The Presidency will also focus on justice and home affairs, including the issue of migration. “This is a real challenge for the EU”, Sannino explained. “Migration is one of the toughest dossiers. The key to making progress is to move away from confrontation and laying blame, and towards logical cooperation”, he added. Italy also hopes to make progress on the office of the Public Prosecutor General, data protection and amending the visa code. It also plans to work on fundamental rights within the EU.
In full respect of the role of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, the Italian Presidency wishes greater emphasis to be laid on the Mediterranean dimension. “Although recent events in the East (…) have called for a great deal of attention, we want to make sure that the Mediterranean is not forgotten; this is a highly sensitive region”, he explained. Italy hopes to facilitate and assist the region's development by setting in place a platform to coordinate investment in the Mediterranean, the energy dimension and the link between development and migration. Trade agreements, such as the treaty with the United States, are other priorities.
“We are trying to be ambitiously realistic. We will do our best to respond to the expectations of our citizens”, said Sannino, whilst predicting that the Presidency would be a fairly difficult one, as the President of the Italian Council, “Matteo Renzi, is staking a great deal on change in Europe. This is not an easy task.” The Presidency will be particularly challenging as it will coincide with a time of transition: the Parliament will be settling into place and the Commission and the president of the European Council are to change. “We will also be called upon to help in setting in place the programme for the next five years”, he added. (CG)