Mattarella calls European integration “an extraordinary adventure”

Brussels – A tribute to the men and women who represent, promote, and defend the country every day in what is a true anthem to Europe and Europeanism. The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, began his official visit to Brussels by addressing Italian officials, sharing with them his enthusiasm and satisfaction for “this extraordinary adventure of integration that we continue to experience year after year.”

It is a call to attention on increasingly critical European issues. As the President of the Republic emphasizes, today more than ever, “it is clear how closely intertwined our country’s life is with that of the European Union.” Italy, a founding member of the European Union, is and must remain central to the integration process because the twelve-star project “is the most important point of connection, of intersection, for the protection of our country.”

From the enlargement process to the more recent challenges — whether climate, trade tensions, or geopolitical shifts — “this dialogue, this interconnection is growing in every aspect,” Mattarella continued. Being in Europe and investing in Europe is, therefore, even more fundamental and strategic. The President of the Republic already shared this vision with the Chambers back in 2022, when he was sworn in for his second term, where he recalled that “strengthening Italy means enabling it to guide the process to relaunch Europe so that it becomes more efficient and just.”

The visit of the Head of State aims to highlight all of this: the “extraordinary adventure of integration” that is the European project with Italy at its core. The trip to Brussels, the EU capital, is not accidental. “This city holds within it, by hosting it, a multitude of representatives from all 27 member countries of the Union,” Mattarella said. “This in itself is a virtue, an additional asset that demonstrates what the future of our dialogue will be.”

The course is also set during the meeting that the President of the Republic has with the European Commission’s Executive Vice President, Raffaele Fitto, the Italian member of the Commission’s college. It is further shared with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, who expresses his gratitude to Mattarella for Italy’s contribution to strengthening the European Union. This contribution is all the more valuable in a time of global uncertainties.

The President of the Republic responds by reaffirming the centrality of the European Union and its institutions, starting with the body that Costa represents. “The role of the European Council is crucial at this moment when the international community is seeking new balances that ensure peace and stability in the world,” the Head of State emphasizes, recalling how, in Italy and Europe, “we stand for an international community based on rules and cooperation, and in a critical situation, we must be protagonists.”

Mattarella then urges his counterpart and partner to work on “restoring the Euro-Atlantic relationship,” which he deems “fundamental,” and to promote a Europe more aligned with European leadership. “Reforms are needed that can ensure mutual listening within the EU, but also provide quick responses to prevent the delays in decision-making processes from causing Europe to follow decisions made by others.”

The institutional visit and the words of the President of the Republic are also a warning to the national political forces, particularly those in government, who bear the honor and the responsibility of leading the country. Europeanism and Atlanticism are and will be the guiding lights for Italy — yesterday, today, and tomorrow.