President Sergio Mattarella was very positive about his talks with the heads of the European Union last March. He said that there is great attention for Italy and its role.
President Mattarella met with Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, with whom he spoke about several issues as well as the role that the European Parliament can have in increasing European Union citizens’ acceptance. They also talked about refugees and migrants arriving in Italy, and of the fact that this issue should be discussed more at the European Union. President Mattarella has discussed this important issue with Federica Mogherini, and with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk.
For a photo-album please open here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157652285978009
The talks with Mogherini focused on the actions required for issues such as immigration, but also Libya, foreign politics, and the defence policy of the European Union.
With President Tusk they discussed Libya and Ukraine in order to stress all problems that the Union has to address, whether they are located North or South of the Union; they all are equally important and shared by all member states. President Mattarella says that President Tusk was very interested in the talks about Libya and is also convinced that the European Union should regarding the refugees that actually arrive on European shores, but likewise towards the issues of a lack of infrastructure and the risk that this could help the forming of favourable conditions to Islamic terrorism, which is a danger both for Italy and for Europe. Although they are two different issues, they both have their origin in Libya.
President Mattarella has agreed with all those he met the importance that the international community supports the talks of the mediator Léon, in order to achieve a cease-fire in Libya, a united national parliament and the be able to help the country find stability and a new start so much needed for this country.
Pictures/Office of the President of the Italian Republic (www.quirinale.it)