Last night we had a very interesting and animated discussion. While our priorities are first to crack down on smugglers’ networks and stop irregular arrivals and departures, today I will call on MS to show more solidarity and support our proposal for temporary arrangements. We cannot go like this in the future, by addressing in an ad hoc way the crisis in the Mediterranean. In the long run we need permanent solutions. Today this council has this possibility, to find solutions. We shall all be judged in the eyes of our peoples and we know which are our priorities. Stabilize, better manage our borders and show solidarity in all these disembarkation issues. Today we are also going to discuss about security. We are going to participate in an exercise. Nobody knows the scenario of this exercise. We will be taken by surprise to show that if something happens we can handle it in an effective way. Of course, the challenging issue of AI. So it will be a very interesting Council today. I look forward to listening to what the Ministers have to say but I repeat that I will put a lot of pressure and I will call on everybody in the EU to find solutions. It is not just one or the other. Ministers have huge responsibilities and this institution, the Council, does not represent directly the national positions but the European interests. Thank you
HOW CAN YOU FORCE MS to show MORE SOLIDARITY?
DA: it is not a question of force it is a question of convincing them. Whether we think and act in a European way or we follow our lonely national paths that always lead to big problems.
WHY WASN’T IT POSSIBLE TO AGREE ON TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS YESTERDAY EVENING
DA: Last night was not a decision making event.it was a brainstorming and today I look forward to having results.
CONTACTS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND ITALIAN LEAGUE PARTY?
DA: These are domestic politics and all across Europe we have responsible leaders.