President Michel’s visit to Rome is in preparation for the special meeting of the European Council on 9 and 10 February, which will address a number of very important and sensitive issues. 
I wish to thank President Michel, as his presence here today shows his attention to Italy’s position in preparation for the European Council meeting. Discussions will focus on a number of challenges which we consider to be crucial, for the whole of Europe: the economic issue and the migration issue.
With regard to the economic issue, the European Council will discuss strengthening the competitiveness of European industry. We are all aware that the European Union must protect its enterprises, and we believe it must do so with courage and vision, ensuring a level playing field for all Member States.
As I have already stressed to President Michel, we must give concrete signals to support producers, simplifying the tools that currently exist. For Italy, this simplification above all means flexibility regarding existing European funds.
We must have the courage to invest in the future without, however, leaving anyone behind. In this regard, Italy believes caution is needed regarding the relaxation of State aid rules, because the aim must be to support companies, but this must not risk weakening the single market. A level playing field must be ensured.

We believe that courage is needed to create instruments such as a European sovereign fund: to support investments and to protect our continent’s economic, industrial and technological sovereignty.

It will not be easy for all 27 Member States to agree on such an ambitious goal immediately. However, for us, it is important to head in that direction and to state that we intend to go in that direction.

The other important issue we will be discussing is migration. In this regard, we believe it is fundamental to make urgent progress towards EU-level solutions to a problem that is a European problem, as Italy has been arguing for years.

I am pleased awareness is growing that Europe can and must come up with structural solutions to the migration challenge, starting with the defence of external borders; that there is awareness of the fact that Italy clearly cannot manage and deal with this issue alone – an issue that today, in the current international context, is also, perhaps especially, linked to the security of our societies: Italy’s security and, as a result, all of Europe’s security.

The European Commission acknowledging the Central Mediterranean route as a priority at the end of November was an important initial signal, as is the fact that, over the last few days, it has also recognised the specific characteristics of Europe’s maritime borders; so, the awareness that this issue needs to be dealt with differently with regard to the southern border compared with how it has been managed along other borders, because different tools are required.

I do not think it is in anyone’s interest to be divided on an issue like migration because, ultimately, we risk doing the human traffickers a favour, and I don’t believe this is something that a civilised society such as ours wants or can allow to happen.
It is therefore time to work together to prevent illegal migration flows, containing them before they arrive to Europe’s borders. In our view, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation with migrants’ countries of origin and countries of transit (Italy is already doing its part, as you have seen over the last few weeks).

I believe our commitment to Africa must be a Europe-wide commitment and, also in this regard, it seems to me that there are important common standpoints, just as I believe that the EU’s repatriation actions can and must be improved. 
These are the priorities Italy is working on, for the next European Council meeting to give clear and concrete signals to citizens at this difficult time, when there is a need for pragmatic, efficient and rapid responses.

At the European Council meeting, it will also be crucial to reiterate Europe’s constant, strong cohesion in supporting Kyiv, as we have already done at previous European Council meetings. Thanks also to President Michel’s work, we have a good starting point and we are optimistic that this European Council meeting can provide important answers. We are committed to doing our part to achieve this objective. 

Our thanks go once again to President Michel for coming to visit us and for carefully listening with interest to Italy’s position and proposals. 

[Courtesy translation]