1. Commissario, neanche il tempo di festeggiare per il vertice di Roma, che il tema dei migranti torna a dividere l’Europa. L’Austria, L’Ungheria, la Polonia… Andiamo con ordine. Secondo il ministro della difesa di Vienna, Hanz Doskozil l'Austria avrebbe “più che rispettato gli obblighi europei”. Insomma, stop al piano di ricollocamenti dei profughi.
Commissioner, no time to celebrate Rome Summit that the issue on migrants is back to divide Europe. Austria, Hungary, Poland … Let's proceed in order. According to the Minister of Defence in Vienna, Hanz Doskozil, "Austria has more than honoured the European obligations". In short, stop to the migrants' relocation scheme.
ASolidarity cannot be "cherry-picked" or "à la carte". All Member States must fulfil their duties.
2. Anche dall’Ungheria un nuovo attacco al nostro paese. Il portavoce del governo guidato da Viktor Orban, ha usato parole forti. Accusa l’Italia di aver “ricattato” il governo ungherese. Il riferimento è all’ex premier Matteo Renzi e alla minaccia italiana di utilizzare il diritto di veto sull'approvazione dei bilanci Ue, qualora non si desse seguito alla ricollocazione dei migranti…
Even from Hungary, a new accusation to your country. The government spokesperson led by Viktor Orban has used strong tones/words. He accuses Italy to have "blackmailed" the Hungarian government. The allusion/reference is to the former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and to the Italian threat to avail of the veto vote on the approval of EU budget, if migrants' relocation had not being applied.
Member States must deliver on what has been collectively decided on relocation – this is a legal and moral obligation. I was in Hungary earlier this week and I had very honest and open discussions there. In a very friendly spirit of positive cooperation, we decided to work together through our experts and ensure that EU rules also are complied with. The proposed Dublin reform is another discussion, which is still on the table.
3. Sempre sulla questione migratoria, il premier polacco Beata Szydło subito dopo la firma di Roma, ha parlato di una politica inefficace dell’Ue sui migranti. Come si possono superare tutte queste divergenze tra alcuni paesi e applicare le disposizioni in merito alla relocation?
On migrants issue again, the polish Premier, Beata Szydło, soon after the signing spoke about an inefficient EU migration policy. How can we overcome the difficulties between some countries and implement disposals on relocation?
We can only overcome these difficulties together. Migration is a European and global challenge, and requires a joint approach too. To have an efficient migration policy, all actors including Member States have to implement the actions they have agreed. It is too easy to say that our policy is inefficient without having fully implemented it, or without having implemented all elements. Relocation is one element of our comprehensive approach but it is an important one. We have strengthened our external borders, but relocating from Italy and Greece will also help us reduce secondary movements and return to a normal functioning of Schengen.
4. Sabato scorso, è stata firmata la Dichiarazione di Roma. Per Sergio Mattarella, Presidente della Repubblica italiana, con la firma dei 27 leader europei, si apre “una costituente che deve inevitabilmente portare alla revisione dei Trattati”. Lo auspica anche lei?
Last Saturday, the Rome Declaration was signed. For the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, with the signing of 27 leaders a new constituent opens up inevitably leading to the revision of the Treaties. Do you wish that too?
The Rome Declaration is the beginning of a new process for the European Union with 27 Member States. It is too soon now to talk about any treaty changes. Now is the start of a reflection process of how we want to shape our future forward, in unity.
5. Eppure, non è stata facile la fase preparatoria del testo. Il punto più controverso è stato il riferimento all’Europa a più velocità. Come pensa si possa evitare l’aumento delle diseguaglianze tra i diversi paesi membri?
However, the drafting phase of the text has not been easy. The most controversial point has been the reference to a multi-speed Europe. How do you believe we can avoid increase in inequalities among the several MSs?
I am reassured by the text of the Rome Declaration: it shows that the EU27 is committed to move forward together, both out of choice and out of necessity. What is important is that we all move in the same direction, that we all share the same vision. This is what Rome showed.
6. Qualche giorno fa, sono state quantificate le pesanti ricadute economiche che la Gran Bretagna dovrà affrontare nei prossimi anni a causa della Brexit. Crede che questo possa aver contribuito a sostenere il progetto europeo?
A few days ago, the heavy economic repercussions that Britain will face in the coming years because of Brexit have been quantified. Do you believe that this may have helped support the European project?
On 29 March, the European Council received a letter from the British Prime Minister notifying the United Kingdom's intention to leave the European Union. We regret that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union, but we are ready for the process that we now will have to follow. We will approach these talks constructively and strive to find an agreement. In the future, we hope to have the United Kingdom as a close partner.
7. La Grecia, che sulla questione dei migranti ha fatto insieme all’Italia uno sforzo notevole e riconosciuto da tutti, ha chiesto fino all’ultimo pieno rispetto dei diritti di tutti i lavoratori europei, dell’aquis sociale europeo. Il Presidente della Commissione europea Jean-Claude Juncker si è espresso positivamente. Crede sia un passaggio fondamentale in questo momento per il suo paese?
Greece, along with Italy, has made a remarkable effort on the issue of migrants and widely recognized, asked staunchly full respect of all European workers' rights, and of the European acquis. European Commission President Juncker has spoken positively. Do you believe that is an essential step now for your Country?
As President Juncker said, there is no doubt that the EU social acquis applies to Greece as to any other EU Member State. What is important now is that the second review of the programme for Greece is concluded as soon as possible, significant progress has been made recently.
8. Nella dichiarazione di Roma sottoscritta dai 27 leader europei si pone grande attenzione alle politiche di crescita e sviluppo. Di cosa ha bisogno l’Europa per poter realmente intraprendere un nuovo cammino di sviluppo, superare i populismi e rafforzare gli obiettivi comuni?
In Rome declaration signed by 27 European Leaders, it is paid great attention to growth and development policies. What does Europe really need to start a new development path, to overcome populisms and enhance common objectives/targets?
With the rise of populism, xenophobia and nationalism, Europe is faced with two options: to go forward in a united and inclusive way, or to revert back to its dark past. We celebrate 60 years of continuous peace, prosperity and freedom, and we must never take these achievements for granted. The Rome Declaration is the right step forward.
9. Torniamo ai migranti Commissario. Sul versante libico, la Corte d’Appello di Tripoli ha invalidato l’accordo sui migranti firmato a febbraio dal premier Paolo Gentiloni e dal capo del Consiglio presidenziale Fayez Al Sarraj. Teme che questo possa compromettere il grande lavoro che il ministro dell’Interno Marco Minniti sta svolgendo, assieme alla Commissione, proprio sulla “rotta del Mediterraneo”?
Let's go back to migrants, Commissioner. On the Libyan side, the Court of Appeal in Tripoli invalidated the agreement on migrants signed in February by Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and the head of the Presidential Council Fayez Al Sarraj. Do you fear that this could compromise the work that Interior Minister Marco Minniti is taking care of, together with the Commission, right on the "route of the Mediterranean"?
I cannot comment on domestic matters of Libya. What I can say is that the EU is fully committed to step up its engagement and cooperation with Libya and neighbouring countries to save lives at sea, stem irregular flows, fight migrant smuggling, and improve the livelihoods of migrants on the ground as well as enhance legal channels. The recent conference organised by Minister Minniti in Rome, bringing together countries from both sides of the Central Mediterranean including Libya, was an important step ahead in that approach, and we soon expect a follow-up meeting on the other side of the Central Mediterranean.
10. Lei recentemente è stato negli Stati Uniti. È di lunedì la decisione di tagliare i fondi federali a quelle città che danno ospitalità ai clandestini. Come si pone, l’Europa, nei confronti dell’amministrazione Trump, e della sua “politica-shock” sui migranti?
You have recently been in the USA. It is Monday's decision to cut off federal funds to those cities who do not welcome illegal migrants. How Europe lies, in relation to the Trump administration, and with regard to his shocking policy on migrants?
The Unites States and Europe have very different contexts and histories when it comes to migration. The United States has a longstanding tradition of welcoming and integrating migrants and refugees, being a beacon of diversity today. Europe's policy is based on the fundamental principles of the Geneva convention, and the duty to offer protection to those in need. the migration challenge today is a global one, and requires both Europe and the Unites States to keep playing a strong and leading role.