Gentiloni: “This is not the time for divisions within the EU, Italy will fight them”

Brussels – The European Council “faces a major challenge”. In the midst of “one of the most difficult moments in the Union’s history”, Europe “is trying to revive itself”. This is why the last thing the EU needs is “further divisions”, something which Italy “does not wish” and will “fight against”. Thus spoke Paolo Gentiloni at the summit of the leaders of the Party of European Socialists (PES), a customary appointment ahead of the European Council.

Italy, the PM said, “is obviously committed” to work “in this direction” for the revival of the EU “also in view of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome”, and with the other progressive leaders “we will work to put on the agenda a commitment to growth and social protection”. From this point of view, Gentiloni added, “I am pleased that today the Italian parliament has finally approved the law on poverty”, which is “an important step in the government’s social commitment program”.