Brussels – “Count on me! Count on the government!” That’s the commitment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, to the 35 Italian trade associations and enterprises that brought Connact, the platform of events that fosters the confrontation between private actors and institutions through moments of meeting and networking, to Brussels. “I am convinced that thanks to the extraordinary work of our outstanding companies, our MEPs, associations and all officials, our country will continue to play its fundamental role in the European project,” Tajani continued in the message sent to participants. The minister was unable to participate because he attended the funeral of Luca Palmegiani, the young Forza Italia militant who passed away during the party convention in Roccaraso.
The event, Tajani stressed, is as important as ever given “the geopolitical, economic, and social challenges that our country and the European Union will face in the coming years.” There is a sustainable agenda to move forward and competitiveness to boost, all in a global context full of unknowns between ongoing conflicts and potential trade wars. “To grow despite a complex international framework, businesses need reliable and quick answers; we need new tools rather than obstacles.” Therefore, he stresses, “the keyword will have to be de-bureaucratize to avoid the industrial desertification of the continent.” The government’s commitment coming to Connact is aimed in this direction.
There is also another commitment that Tajani makes on behalf of himself and the majority, that of a business-friendly Green Deal. “Decarbonization cannot be achieved at the expense of the productive fabric and the welfare of families and territories.” Then a confirmation on government action: “Nuclear energy can reconcile the fight against climate change with the needs for growth and innovation, lowering the too-high costs of energy.”
Today, more than ever, Italy can and must carve out a leading role for itself, and the foreign minister is not backing down. On the contrary, “The theme of strengthening the Italy System has always guided my political activity, as the many friends and colleagues participating in today’s proceedings know.” He recalls his nearly 30-year past in Brussels, first as an MEP, then as Vice-President of the European Commission, and then again as President of the European Parliament. A path in which “I have always worked for a leading Italy in a strong and cohesive European Union.”
Tajani wants to revive the “capital” that represents the Italian system. “Our exports are already worth 626 billion; we are the second economy in the world by type of goods exported and the first in Europe.” Numbers that can grow. “But we can do more and soon reach 700 billion in exports.” In this effort, he continues, businesses must remain central. “Businesses are the cornerstone of our strategy of ‘Growth Diplomacy’, and this year, I wanted the traditional Ambassadors’ Conference to have its centre in Milan precisely to bring the Foreign Ministry even closer to businesses through an innovative formula of direct dialogue with ambassadors.”
The Connact initiative, called “important,” receives praise from the holder of the Foreign Ministry. “This first edition, by fostering an open confrontation at the dawn of the new European legislature, aims to help chart a course and develop common solutions.” In this sense, “I am convinced that thanks to all of you, to the extraordinary work of our companies of excellence, our MEPs, associations and all officials, our country will continue to play its fundamental role in the European project.” Therefore, the goal is to make the first edition the starting point. “Continuing to build relationships and synergies, through transversal platforms such as Connact, will allow further steps forward providing new insights and ideas for our country and the European Union.” Because, he concludes, “for an increasingly central Italy we need to act synergistically at all levels, starting with the productive sectors.”
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
