The Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis, met at the Foreign Ministry today with the Italian Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Competent for European Affairs, Sandro Gozi.
The talks, which took place in a warm atmosphere, concerned EU Migration Policy and confrontation of the refugee crisis, the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy, the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union, and the strengthening of EU General Affairs Council’s role.
“The Adriatic-Ionian Strategy is a major regional plan for Greece and Italy, and there is great potential for the creation of a list of Greek-Italian infrastructure projects so that we can draw funding from the European Strategic Investment Fund (Juncker Plan) as well as from loans and inclusion in other programmes. Italy and Greece are leading forces in this endeavor, which other neighbouring countries can join. The plan includes energy, many infrastructure projects, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), and it is a plan that from its inception can impart great impetus to the region,” Mr. Xydakis stated following the talks.
“Moreover, I and my Italian counterpart share views on the upgrading of the General Affairs Council, which will also give greater democratic legitimacy to the European Union. During the Italian Presidency, many serious thoughts were heard regarding the risk-sharing mechanism, the prospect of the creation of a European fund for fighting unemployment, and even the creation of a European Monetary Fund; an Italian proposal that other partners agree with. And in this context we are considering jointly starting to draw up proposals for upgrading the European institutions and moving ahead to common ground for creating policy,” Mr. Xydakis continued.
Mr. Gozi noted, among other things, that “2017 is a very important year for Europe: the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. On the occasion of this anniversary, we would like to collaborate, because we believe that there needs to be more democracy and transparency, as well as smoother functioning, in the European institutions.”
October 26, 2015