Italy’s Conte to Juncker: EU can turn the page, but words need to turn in actions

Rome – Europe can “turn the page” but now it is time for words to turn into “concrete actions”. This is the message with which the Italian President of the Council, Giuseppe Conte, comments on the State of the Union’s speech by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.

“I listened with great interest to President Juncker’s speech on the state of the Union”, says Conte putting black and white that there are “a series of messages that we agree on the revival of a Europe” and other measures “that go in the right direction and which can be a basis for discussion for the coming weeks. Of course, the premier notes, now is the moment of concreteness.

“Undoubtedly appreciable – notes Conte – the partnership initiatives with Africa, in terms of security and the commitment to accelerate the repatriation of irregular migrants, Italy has expressed from the outset the need for a shared management of migratory flows coming from the central Mediterranean route “.

“Our commitment is to make sure that these are not just words but turn into concrete actions – states Conte – We reiterate the need to draw a common line that leads to a more equitable and more supportive European Union, with a taking on greater responsibility from our European partners ”

Indeed, for the Prime Minister, “it is crucial now to undertake a shared path towards a management of legal migration, which does not leave the burden of a complex phenomenon such as migration on a single Member State”.

Waiting for the summit in Salzburg, where Italy has concrete expectations, especially “on the Italian proposal to revise and revitalize the Operation Sophia with the rotation of the ports of disembarkation”, the Italian government, concludes Conte “supports in any case the message about a strong and united Europe that is effectively able to protect its citizens “.