”The EU is confronted with unprecedented challenges. The true challenge for Europe is not simply to solve these problems but also to be able to do it by still adhering to its founding values. If we will do that, Europe will continue to be the best response to the needs and aspirations of citizens and will be able to defeat populisms spreading across the old continent”. So said the Italian ambassador to Belgrade Giuseppe Manzo, addressing a Business Forum in Kopaonik (southern Serbia).
Manzo recalled in this respect the recent initiative of Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni to gather in Rome the six founding members of the European Union to sound the alarm.
”Work and growth are what common European citizens ask from Europe”, added the ambassador, recalling that Italy recently presented a proposal for a document for a ”shared European political strategy for growth, employment and stability”, providing for concrete mechanisms to mitigate the effects of cyclical unemployment and to create a European insurance mechanism on deposits.
Manzo recalled the European values and a common European strategy also regarding the migration issue.
”Italy had warned that this is not a problem a country can confront on its own”, he observed, noting how Italy has dealt with a large number of migrants who have arrived from the Mediterranean, rescuing and welcoming tens of thousands of people. Like Italy, Serbia as well, although it is not yet a member of the European Union, has called for a joint EU approach to solve the migrant crisis.
Source ANSAmed
