“On the energy front we have finally faced, in Italy, our energy dependence on Russia which now risks becoming submission rather than dependence.” Thus Prime Minister Mario Draghi, participating in a panel at Bocconi University. “The immediate answer is preparing a future in which we will no longer depend on Russia for gas, ”he added.
How to move? “We need first of all a coordination (European, ed) in defense”, said Draghi, underlining that “this will involve coordination of foreign policy, of defense in logistics”. «To say that it will be done in an integrative way to the US – he added – is not entirely true. We spend in a different way from Russia – he explained – more than triple and the coordination could also concern the production of weapons ». Returning to gas, Draghi said: “We will buy it from Africa”.
“The reform of the WTO (the World Trade Organization, ed) is long overdue and should be done”, concluded the premier. “I think the Chinese also believe it and it is one of the first things to do.”
Finally, a reference to his political position: «I never thought, I never asked, I never assumed that I would be taken seriously for who I was. You have to be consistent with what you say. Credibility is key. In politics you have a mandate given by the voters and, in my case, by the President of the Republic and by Parliament. It is necessary to remain within the limits of this mandate and what is more important is that the words must be supported by the facts ».