“The sum of the crises” - health, security and socio-economic - facing the European Union “requires an acceleration of the integration process” and, faced with those like Russian President Vladimir Putin who question the “legacy” of Europe’s founding fathers, the EU must defend its fundamental values and the democratic order that has guaranteed peace and stability on the European continent since the end of World War II, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi told a packed European Parliament on Tuesday 3 May.
Stating that the results of the Conference on the Future of Europe require an ambitious response, Mr Draghi assured that his country intends to “be at the forefront of designing this new Europe” which citizens will be able to identify with. If the reflection on the future of the EU leads to institutional reform, we must take this path “with confidence”, he said, advocating for “pragmatic federalism”.
Paying tribute to the work of the late David Sassoli at the head of the European Parliament (see EUROPE 12870/1), the Italian Council President cited several areas where institutional improvements could be made: - end the unanimity of Member States in the EU Council in order to be able to decide more quickly on foreign policy issues; - convene “a conference” to improve the mobilisation of budgetary resources for European defence.
The former ECB President also referred to the temporary innovations devised at European level to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, which could be adapted and continued to address the economic impact in the EU of the Russian invasion. Thus, according to Mr Draghi, the SURE instrument for supporting national short-time working schemes could be used to defend citizens’ purchasing power. In the longer term, the Next Generation EU recovery plan, the EU’s first real “reconstruction project”, is a “virtuous” mechanism combining financial support and structural reforms, he said. He also argued that no single national budget will be able to cope with the need for investment in climate and digital transitions and in strengthening strategic autonomy.
On the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Italian head of government called for full EU support for the Ukrainian government and citizens because, in his view, there cannot be equal treatment between “those who invade and those who defend themselves”. “Protecting Ukraine means protecting ourselves and the security project we have built”, he said. According to Mr Draghi, “the EU can and must play a central role” in achieving a ceasefire and promoting peace negotiations between the warring parties.
The Italian Prime Minister also spoke at length about the energy crisis facing the EU. He admitted his country’s “vulnerability” to Russian gas, which accounts for 40% of its consumption, while Italy has “no coal, no nuclear energy and almost no oil”. Nevertheless, he assured Italy’s support for all European sanctions against the Kremlin already taken and to come, including in the energy field.
Mr Draghi also said he was in favour of setting a ceiling on energy prices to relieve consumers and limit the financing of the Russian war effort. He called for a thorough review of the price formation process, currently based on gas, while the share of renewables is increasing. And Italy’s geographical position could also act as a “bridge” between the EU and Mediterranean countries in terms of energy supply, with Mr Draghi pointing to the promise of renewable energy in Africa.
He said the May European Council would be the right political moment to take “strong decisions” in this area.
Finally, Mr Draghi reiterated Italy’s support for the process of EU enlargement to all the countries of the Western Balkans. And “we want Ukraine in the European Union”, he reiterated. He also advocated for “a true partnership” with the countries of the Mediterranean area, which must once again become a strategic axis of the Union’s relations with its close neighbourhood.
And Mr Draghi called for a reform of European rules in the field of migration. This reform should, according to him, go beyond the so-called ‘Dublin’ rules by facilitating the return of illegal immigrants, but also by offering more legal channels for immigration. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)