ROME. “If we do not integrate these people into Italian society, we do harm to ourselves, first of all”. The lack of integration of migrants “means the production of substantially hostile beings, if we do not integrate them we produce potentially enemies”, argues Mario Draghi. Furthermore, on the pandemic “today we can be reasonably optimistic”.
Lesson
«It is necessary to continue with vaccinations, to look for those who are over 50 years old and are not yet vaccinated, if they are against convincing them, they are the fragile futures. We are in a period in which everything looks rosy, but let’s not delude ourselves, we have last year’s lesson. Let’s try to be more prepared, for example cooperation with the regions is essential for a prompt identification of variants and outbreaks – explains Draghi-. There were substantial funds last year, but either they were not enough or it was too complex to manage the problem, the fact is that we found ourselves with means that were only minimally capacious, which also had repercussions on the return to school. . We hope to have learned these lessons from you ».
Recovery
Warns the Prime Minister, “Europe’s eyes are on Italy. Ours is the most substantial program, for an amount equal to 191.5 billion euros, to which must be added the 30 billion of the complementary fund. The success of the Next Generation EU program largely depends on us ”. There is a need for overcoming “anemic growth rates” and for an expansionary fiscal policy. «The European and Italian economic situation is strongly improving. According to the projections of the European Commission, in 2021 and 2022 Italy will grow respectively by 4.2% and 4.4%, like the European Union as a whole. Many of the indicators we have available indicate that the recovery will be even more sustained. The latest data on business and consumer confidence, referring to the month of May, are in fact on the rise. The figure for companies, in particular, is in strong acceleration compared to the positive trend of recent months, and is the highest figure since February 2018. Foreign trade has also restarted. In April, exports grew not only compared to last year – when their level was exceptionally low – but also compared to two years ago, marking + 7.4%. Also in April, the industrial production index increased by 1.8% compared to March. In short, confidence is returning. », Said Prime Minister Mario Draghi in his communications to the Chamber.
Risks
“In this positive economic environment, some risks remain. The first is precisely the epidemiological situation, which I will talk about later in my speech. Although improving sharply, this needs to be monitored closely. In particular, we must keep under control the emergence and spread of new and dangerous variants, which can slow down the reopening program and slow down consumption and investments – highlights the premier -. The second potential danger is inflation, which in the euro area reached 2% in May after 1.6% in April. There is a broad consensus that, to date, this increase is temporary because it is linked to a recovery in demand, supply bottlenecks and accounting effects. The so-called “core” inflation, which excludes the more variable components such as energy, remains very low in the euro area, even though it is growing in the US. We need to keep the focus on ensuring that inflation expectations remain anchored to the medium-term target. And we need to monitor the risk of a divergence between the euro area economy and that of the United States, and the implications that this would have for the monetary policy of the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve ”.
Target
«Our goal is to overcome in a lasting and sustainable way the anemic growth rates that Italy recorded before the pandemic. To do this, it is essential to maintain an expansionary fiscal policy at the European level in the coming months. During the pandemic, we have used huge resources to protect the productive capacity of our economy. Now we have to make sure that aggregate demand is able to meet these supply levels ”, underlines Mario Draghi, speaking in the Chamber of Communications in view of the European Council scheduled for 24 and 25 June. “Achieving significantly higher growth rates than in recent decades will also allow us to reduce the debt-to-gross domestic product ratio, which has increased significantly during the pandemic. And it will allow us to create new jobs, essential for dealing with transitions, such as digital and environmental, ”adds the Prime Minister.
Migrants
«Another issue that concerns us closely is that of the management of migratory flows, which returns to be on the agenda at the European Council at the precise request of Italy. As I have stated in the past, the government wants to manage immigration in a balanced, effective and humane way. But this management cannot only be Italian. It must be truly European. A common commitment is needed to contain illegal immigration flows; to organize legal immigration; and help these countries to stabilize and find peace. And I am obviously thinking of Libya in particular, ”says Draghi. As far as foreign policy is concerned, the European Council «will first of all deal with relations between the EU and Turkey. At its March meeting, the Council recalled how it is of strategic European interest to have a situation of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and therefore to collaborate with Turkey. Concern for the respect of fundamental rights in Turkey, such as women’s rights, civil rights and human rights, will be reiterated ”. Regarding the “serious humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Italy continues to appeal for an immediate ceasefire, full humanitarian access, an end to forced displacements. We call for independent investigations into human rights violations, and the initiation of a national reconciliation process. We do so in the wake of traditional relations of friendship and bilateral collaboration and full support for the reform process and for the development of the country ».
Vaccine
«The epidemiological picture in Italy and in Europe in general has improved a lot. Last week across the EU we recorded about 90,000 cases and there were 2,600 deaths due to Covid-19. Two months ago, there were about one million cases per week, and weekly deaths were six times the current rate. This improvement is due to the vaccination campaign which is proceeding quickly. By mid-April in Italy, only one in four adults had received at least one dose and just one in ten had completed the vaccination course. To date, more than half of the adult population in the European Union has received at least one dose of the vaccine. In Italy the share is almost 60% and about 30% of the adult population has completed the entire vaccination cycle – points out Draghi – The risks associated with the variants, and in particular the so-called “Delta variant”, require us to proceed with the vaccination campaign with maximum intensity. We must also continue to focus on the most fragile subjects, such as the elderly, who are most at risk of death or hospitalization, there must be no distractions ».
Pass
«As for the Italian pass, on 17 June – Draghi remembers – the Dpcm was signed, defining the procedures for issuing it. The IT platform for issuing the certification is therefore operational in Italy, which facilitates participation in certain types of events and travel between regions, in the event of a worsening of the epidemiological situation ». Prosgue the premier: «From 1 July, the certification will also be valid as a European green certificate, to be able to travel to and from EU countries and the Schengen area. Meanwhile, we already allow, under the same certification conditions, the entry into Italy of tourists from the same areas, from the United States, Canada and Japan. We want to allow them to come to Italy safely, to help our hoteliers and restaurateurs to leave after a year and a half of difficulty ».
Health
“The decision taken by the 74th WHO General Assembly to convene a Special Session of the World Health Assembly in November will also be welcomed during the European Council. On that occasion, a common framework for improving global preparedness for future pandemics will be discussed based on the lessons learned during this health crisis. Italy, like many other countries, found itself unprepared for the arrival of Covid-19 – says the premier – We cannot allow this to happen again. The Rome Declaration, also approved at the Global Health Summit, provides an excellent basis for greater international cooperation and solidarity in the future ”.
Perspectives
Therefore, according to Mario Draghi, «today we can be reasonably optimistic about the evolution of the European situation. The vaccination campaign is allowing us to effectively contain the pandemic. The economic recovery is proceeding rapidly, and the Next Generation EU program makes us look forward to a season of reform and investment. Italy, like many other countries, found itself unprepared for the arrival of Covid-19. We cannot allow this to happen again ”. Therefore, “various challenges remain, starting with the management of migration, and we must face it with great attention and a lot of commitment to meet the demands of our citizens. The European Union is the right place to solve these problems, but it is important that our partners understand the urgency of finding quick and shared solutions. In all of this, your support is crucial to pursuing Italian interests in Europe ». Furthermore, “references to the crises in the Sahel and Ethiopia are foreseen in the conclusions of the European Council. The stabilization of the Sahel is a priority for Italy. In recent years, we have expanded our commitment in the region, both politically and in terms of development cooperation and security assistance. As proof of the Italian and European attention to the stability of the Sahel region, it is worth mentioning the appointment, on 21 June, of the honorable Emanuela Claudia Del Re as EU Special Representative for the Sahel ”, the premier specifies.
Ethical question and health priority
Draghi adds: «The European Council will again address the issue of international solidarity. Improving access to vaccines in the poorest countries is not only an ethical issue, but also a health priority. The longer the pandemic lasts, the more chances there are that the virus mutates into particularly contagious variants and that they can escape vaccine coverage ». And «also on this front important steps forward have been made over the past two months. I am very satisfied with the work done at the Global Health Summit, organized by Italy together with the European Commission in Rome on May 21st. The Summit was the prelude to the extraordinary European Council on 24-25 May in which EU countries pledged to donate at least 100 million doses of vaccines by the end of the year. Italy will do its part and donate 15 million doses “.” At the G7 Summit in Cornwall and the subsequent EU-US Summit, the common commitment to increase the production of vaccines was reaffirmed, also with a view to their fairer distribution globally. As I have stated on other occasions, the transfer of technologies to third countries can be very useful for this purpose. This question will have to be settled in the framework of a negotiation at the World Trade Organization. The Commission is ready to present its own written proposal as a basis for the negotiations. At the Global Health Summit, President von der Leyen presented the European initiative for local production and access to vaccines, drugs and health technologies on the African continent. It is an initiative that Italy supports with conviction. One billion euros is foreseen in investments from the European budget, to be increased with the support of the Member States ”, remarked Draghi.