Renzi: Europe belongs to its citizens not to bankers

During the meeting between the Italian government and the Union executive branch, the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has reiterated the programmatic line for the Semester illustrated in Strasbourg, on which he was assured the support of the European Commission, and tried to soothe the controversy with Germany (not with the Bundesbank though). A line of conduct shared by José Manuel Barroso, who praised Renzi because “he defined clear targets, which we share.” The appraisal is extended to the Italian reforms promised by Renzi. “They are in line with the Commission’s indications,” explained Barroso. Actually, “Italy should realise them even if the EU had not existed.”

The Italian agenda for reforms is the key Renzi wants to use for opening the room he needs on flexibility. The matter is, “there is no stability without growth” as well as “there is not growth without stability.” Dealing with stability, said Renzi, “we are committed in reforming,” but in Europe “we need to be all committed in respecting rules, and rules include growth.”

Folliwing this line, the Italian Prime Minister reminded he “voted for Juncker” during last week European Council, “because there is a document about it that we all approved.” A deal saying that the European Commission next President will have to work on flexibility: “I am sure Juncker will respect that document,” said Renzi.

Concerning flexibility, the Italian PM pointed out that there is no controversy with Germany. “I have a wonderful relationship with Angela Merkel,” said Renzi, “and I appreciated the official stance of the German government.” Which, yesterday, got away from the attacks expressed by Jens Weidmann, Bundesbank President, who went against the flexibility Renzi requested. Highlighting the renewed affinity with Germany, at least from a political point of view, Renzi wanted to give Weidmann a message though: “The Bundesbank should deal with its tasks, not with indications about the policies we need to follow,” he warned, because “Europe belongs to its citizens not to bankers.”

During the press conference, Renzi and Barroso talked about the migration issue too. The Italian Prime Minister illustrated two areas of intervention. First, “a specific issue, dealing with Libya” from which “96% of those crossing the Mediterranean sea” come. “Our commitment is supporting the new Libyan Parliament,” explained Renzi, “for creating a government with which we will negotiate the necessary agreements for letting the UNHCR work on the ground there.”

Then, the “broader issue” is making all European partners accept that “the Mediterranean sea is the border of Europe.” Barroso agreed on that, “the migration issue needs to be addressed collectively.” Through “the reinforcement of Frontex into Frontex Plus.” The Commission “is heading that way,” and “it is necessary to invest more resources” on the agency. The European Commission President has then praised “Italians, their Republic and their Navy, because you are saving human lives.”