Prime Minister Mario Draghi spoke in the Chamber and the Senate, in view of the next European council. “The European Council of 24 and 25 March will open with a meeting with the President of the United States, Joe Biden. It will be preceded by an extraordinary NATO summit and a G7 summit, which will also be held in Brussels – he explained -. In these forums, the Euro-Atlantic community intends to reaffirm its unity and determination in supporting Ukraine. A common commitment to protect peace, security, democracy – which Italy reaffirmed yesterday in this hall in the presence of President Zelensky “.
“There are many problems on energy – said Draghi in reply -“, “there is a problem of price formation” which “have no connection with production costs”, on this “however there are very divided positions between northern countries, northern oil companies and other countries. The camp is very divided, it will be necessary to reach an agreement“.
The Senate Chamber approved the majority resolution on the communications made by the Prime Minister. At the request of the Brothers of Italy, in favor of the premise and commitment provided for in the document, the resolution was voted on in separate parts. The premise had 194 votes in favor, 29 no and 4 abstentions; the commitment 212 yes, 12 no and abstentions; point 10 passed with 194 yes, 29 no and 4 abstentions. Rejected the other three resolutions presented.
“In the face of the horrors of war, Italy is working with determination for the cessation of hostilities”, said Prime Minister Mario Draghi during his communications to the Chamber. “The diplomatic effort can only be successful when Moscow really wants it,” he said. “It is essential that the EU be united in maintaining spaces for dialogue with Beijing”, “we must reiterate the expectation that Beijing will refrain from support for Moscow and support the peace effort”, he added.
“The EU council will discuss the increase in energy prices”, “still very high compared to historical levels, more than 5 times compared to a year ago”, said the premier. Draghi recalled the package of measures launched by the last CDM for families and businesses, he said he was “aware” of the need for other interventions and a “European response, we need a common management of the energy market”. “We need a shared approach – said Draghi – on storage to strengthen bargaining power towards suppliers, the creation of an EU gas price cap is at the center of a discussion with the President of the Commission We want to break the link between gas prices and and electricity, which is partly produced from alternative sources, the price of which has nothing to do with that of gas “.
Draghi also spoke about European security and defense. “In the path towards a common defense it is essential to develop adequate capabilities to be a credible security provider. This can only happen if we strengthen our defense industry and make it more competitive from the point of view technological but above all better integrated at European level. We all have to gain from better coordination also in the field of defense “.
“I keep in mind that the founders of the European Union, including De Gasperi, had peace on the European continent as their goal, and it is precisely for this reason that we have designed the European defense community and we want to create a European defense. Precisely for this reason we want to adapt. to the target of 2% “of GDP,” which we promised in NATO, “said Draghi, in his reply, responding to a request from the deputy Mara Lapia of the Mixed Group. “The hopes for a strong recovery are fading”, in the face of this “we need an EU response”, both on the “economic” and on the “energy” level. Prime Minister Mario Draghi said this in his reply to the Chamber ahead of the European Council.
Will it be necessary to rethink the NRP? “No, it is not necessary in its deadlines and in its objectives. The plan is crucial – said Draghi in the reply – to permanently increase growth”. “There are some aspects of the NRP that must be addressed” such as “the increase in costs” and “the prices of raw materials. A” discussion in the EU commission is underway “on this.
The European Council will discuss Russian military aggression against Ukraine, security and defense, energy, economic issues, COVID-19 and external relations.
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