Speeches

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, according to the evaluation of traineeships in Europe, cooperation between the Member States and the European Union has brought about significant improvements in apprenticeships and the integration of young people into employment. But it is clear that more needs to be done, given that youth unemployment now stands at 15%. As the Commission’s assessment shows, the main problems would be the difficulty of finding adequate housing situations due to the high rents and low remuneration of young people. Internships must be a fundamental step in the training of our young people, acting as a bridge between academia and the working world. Investing in the training of young people means investing in the future of the European Union and its economy. Europe must invest in the new generations, without forgetting the importance of studying the traditions and history of the peoples of Europe, who represent the wealth and strength of the Union itself.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the Belgian Presidency will face many challenges in the coming months, including ensuring and securing support for European agriculture. I do not recognize myself in this Europe that prefers to defend itself with barbed wire and favour imports of food products that do not comply with European standards and food traceability. Well, I stand with farmers and against this Europe that does not know how to respond to their needs. A madness that wants to lead to the collapse of the Italian supply chain, which has 4 million workers and a turnover of 600 billion. The new Presidency shows that our Union is not the Europe of the great economic interests of multinationals, but of the citizens. Europe is on the right side and barbed wire is used to defend our typical products.

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the 28th United Nations Conference on Climate Change aims to put in place a series of actions to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The focus on climate change is certainly acceptable, but it must not become a mad ecological race, which would lead the entire European economy to collapse. Today, in fact, our companies are faced with a much greater challenge, given the expensive energy and unfair competition from China, India and the United States, which on the environmental front are less sensitive and attentive than Europe. The European Union must act quickly and effectively to help our families and save millions of jobs for our businesses from bankruptcy. The energy transition must be implemented in a gradual and smart way, with adequate economic aid to our companies; This cannot and should not be done to the detriment of European companies.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the latest Eurostat data on housing conditions for young Europeans are not encouraging: almost 28% of 15-29 year-olds face problems with overcrowded housing, while almost 41% suffer from excessive housing costs. Inaccessible prices and housing shortages undermine the future and prospects of independent and dignified living of young people, especially our university students. The spike in prices affects families who see rising costs for their homes, but must also contribute to the support of their out-of-home children. It is essential that the European Union intervenes with appropriate financial instruments to encourage student housing and to support young people who face rising house prices and rents every day. Helping young people means giving Europe a future.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, today is International Mountain Day. On 20 November, the Council of the European Union approved a text on the long-term vision for Europe's rural areas in order to promote prosperity and the social fabric. Rural and mountain areas face many challenges, such as depopulation, poor maintenance of forests and wildlife, and a lack of infrastructure and adequate employment opportunities. There is a need for direct EU action to protect and safeguard mountain areas, given the critical issues that have arisen in recent years, if we are to defend our ecological heritage in line with European policy. Support for mountain areas does not remain a dead letter, but takes the form of the adoption of specific financial instruments to support local communities that are faced with these challenges very often alone.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, more than a year has passed since the death of Mahsa Amini, the young Iranian woman of Kurdish origin whom Iran's so-called "moral police" had arrested for failing to comply with the obligation to wear a veil. Since then, Iranian women have sparked one of the largest protests against the Iranian regime, which to date has caused at least 500 deaths and 20,000 arrests. Among those arrested there are also European citizens, including two Italians, whom the Iranian regime considers guilty of having been involved or having been in the places of the demonstrations in memory of Mahsa Amini. The European Union strongly condemns the Iranian regime and does not compromise with those guilty of serious human rights violations: Europe, the cradle of democracy and the inviolable principles of man, should stand by and support the Iranian people without delay.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, in line with what is happening globally, the mountainous territory in north-eastern Italy has lost 4 million cubic metres of timber and another 2 million have been cut down by the bark beetle. The Veneto Region is the first Italian region for employees with turnover in the furniture sector: it has almost 8 400 companies, employing over 46 000 people. The sector is damaged, not only by the loss of raw material, but also by the invasion of Chinese wood semi-finished products, which enter the European market without complying with criteria and rules, creating unfair competition against our producers. The European Union is taking action to prevent the introduction of these products and to support the competitiveness of our companies. Europe values the European product and recognises the value of craftsmanship and our small and large enterprise.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, in recent days Italy has been devastated by severe weather, which has unfortunately caused many victims, missing people, displaced families, as well as considerable economic damage. In Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, as in Tuscany, hundreds of millions of euros of damage were recorded, both in the mountains, with landslides and landslides, and along the coasts, where it is now necessary to restore the beaches and with it tourism. Rapid and effective action by Europe is needed through the activation of the Solidarity Fund, in support of regional authorities and, in particular, small local entities always at the forefront of preventing, addressing and responding to these natural disasters. The protection of the territory is fundamental for the development and protection of our communities. As our small municipalities always do, Europe must also play its part.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, on 16 October 2017, the Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed by an explosion caused by a bomb placed in her car. A murder that sees a journalist pay with her life for her government's corruption investigations: He denounced trafficking related to migrants, weapons, oil and finance. The European Commission, always very careful to recall Italy in case of violation of the rule of law, seems to have forgotten about the Maltese government, which has done nothing to bring to justice all those responsible for the murder and protect freedom of the press. Six years later, Daphne Caruana's family and all European citizens are waiting for answers about this barbaric murder. The European Union does not turn its back on justice and intervenes effectively in safeguarding democracy, freedom of information and the rule of law.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the summit of world leaders on climate objectives, which was held in New York last September, ended in failure. The final declaration that emerged from the summit is in fact a lapidary awareness: the objectives for combating climate change will not be achieved in 2030, nor in 2050, highlighting that radically new approaches are needed to make progress at national and global level, enhancing local knowledge and the involvement of business and industrial associations. Environmental protection cannot be entrusted to a green hysteria, which leads to the failure of the economy of our European companies. Fight against climate change yes, but with intelligence and timing compatible with technological development. Europe cannot be the only one fighting climate change.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, according to data released by the Italian Ministry of the Interior, 115 000 migrants have arrived in Italy since the beginning of the year: an increase in arrivals compared to 2022 of 115 %. The Italian reception system is now collapsing. Where is the much-vaunted European solidarity? Where are France, Austria and, in particular, Germany which, instead of helping Italy, prefers to subsidise NGOs to encourage the arrival of migrants on Italian shores? Excuse me, but when a migrant arrives in Lampedusa he lands only in Italy or even in Europe? We demand European solidarity that is swift, effective and concrete. Managing migration policy is a European problem and must be tackled as such. If the European Union exists, now is the time to prove it.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the proposal for a regulation on media freedom aims to establish common rules governing the functioning of the internal market for information services. An ambitious project for the protection of media pluralism in the European single market, which, however, provides for the establishment of a European supervisory body, to the detriment of national bodies. There is a clear attempt by the European institutions to interfere in the area of free national information, which would impose further constraints on national policies, including, in the event of non-compliance with Brussels, the opening of infringement procedures. We will not accept any interference, no gagging from the European Union, because freedom of the press is the basic principle of our democracy.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, for a few weeks now, Europe has been witnessing unarmed the violent protests that have broken out in France following the killing of the boy as part of police control. Anger and aggression, resulting in looting and vandalism, seem to be the outlet of a society now based only on tensions between different ethnic groups, resulting from uncontrolled immigration and a coexistence imposed by historical urgencies. Europe recognises the obvious mistakes made in managing migration flows, caused by judicial laxity, and is working to adopt a common and shared migration policy, based above all on zero tolerance for those who do not respect the laws of the Member States and the European Union.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the European Commission has adopted the proposal to make 2023 the European Year of Skills, with the aim of improving the training of European citizens. We welcome Europe's focus on a skilled workforce, which means strengthening the competitiveness of European businesses, in particular our small and medium-sized enterprises. However, the objective of improving and increasing skills must not remain on paper, but must translate into adequate investments in the training of all European citizens, in particular young people with disabilities who have suffered the most from the negative effects of the pandemic, with an increase in discrimination and socio-economic disinclusion. The focus on training, which underpins Europe's economic growth, must go well beyond 2023 and must concern everyone, without exception, because disability has no time limits. It is essential to give the right value to those citizens who contribute their thoughts to the growth of European society, an example of democracy for all. The world of disability must be helped and this is the right year.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, on 4 May the French Minister for the Interior stated that the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, would be unable to resolve Italy's migration problems. Unacceptable and shameful words on the part of the French government that, despite being always ready to give hospitality lessons to other countries, has not hesitated to send 150 additional policemen to the Italian border to counter the migratory pressure. Apparently, for the French government the principle of solidarity applies only on paper and only when it brings an advantage to its own country; a hypocritical attitude that has led to an unfair attack on Italy, which is managing the migration phenomenon on its own. President Macron, Italy does not take lessons from those who are ready to push women and children back to the border, but does not hesitate to host terrorists who should return to Italian jails.

Mr President, on 11 April the Italian Government declared a national state of emergency on migrants, a decision dictated by the exceptional increase in arrivals on the Italian coast, which has seen more than 32 000 disembarkations since the beginning of the year, four times more than in 2022. On the management of the migration phenomenon, Italy is doing its part, where is the European Union and what has it done? It certainly failed: We recall the nefarious agreement signed in 2016 with Turkey to stop the flow of migrants, a pact costing over 10 billion that did not lead to any results. On the migrant emergency, Italy does not need solidarity in words, but a quick and concrete intervention by a Europe that must take responsibility for a problem that is European. If the European Union exists, it is time to prove it. On the contrary, we will see yet another failure of a common project that no longer has reason to be.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the Commission has proposed that cattle farming be included in the scope of the Industrial Emissions Directive. To claim that farms pollute like factories is madness. In the period 1990-2020, Italy reduced its emissions by around a quarter, while Morocco and Turkey increased their emissions by 23% and India by 21%. The inclusion of the bovine sector in this directive, with a too low threshold of animals, would have an impact on most holdings, encouraging the instrumental splitting of medium-small farms, in order to circumvent the obligations or even to close them, resulting in the loss of jobs. Increased imports of meat from third countries that do not respect our food security are inevitable. The European Union protects and protects our farms. For European citizens there is only one type of meat, the natural one, coming from animals, certainly not the laboratory one.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, cycling brings many environmental and social benefits and makes an important contribution to Europe's economic growth. The European bicycle industry represents more than a thousand small and medium-sized enterprises with one million jobs. At the Italian level, the sector is worth two billion euros a year and the Veneto region alone has 110 companies and a turnover of about 900 million euros. Given the importance of the bicycle industry, not only from an economic point of view, but also from an employment point of view, the European Union must include it in an industrial policy focused on the production of bicycles and "Made in Europe" components, in order to support our excellence and boost competitiveness among European companies. Supporting the world of cycling means supporting and incentivising Europe's economy, history and culture.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, according to the proposal to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, new buildings will have to be zero-emission by 2030, while existing buildings in 2050, with intermediate steps for residential buildings, will have to reach energy class E in 2030 and D in 2033. According to these criteria, in Italy no more than 9 million buildings out of 12 million would be in order, with the consequence that Italians would be required to urgently renovate two out of three houses, with negative repercussions on the country's economy. We will not and cannot be complicit in a green hysteria that wants to bring millions of Italian families to their knees. We do not accept any of Europe's impositions, because that means strangling our families.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, after the larvae and locusts, the Commission has given the green light to the placing on the European market of crickets in powder form. In the midst of the economic crisis due to the pandemic, then the Russian invasion, Europe's priority is to bring on the tables of European citizens insects from non-European countries such as Vietnam, China and Thailand, countries at the top of the rankings by number of food alarms. The marketing of insects raises specific questions of a health nature, to which it is necessary to give answers by clarifying the production methods, the origin and traceability of these products. Europe let go of the crickets and support our agriculture and our farmers. The priority must be to safeguard the excellence of our territory, which are the expression of productive and cultural realities unique in the world. Supporting our agriculture means helping the entire European economy and supporting competitiveness. Insects on my plate? No thanks, eat them yourself.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, in the field of culture, the European Union has competence for actions to support and coordinate the actions of the Member States. Initiatives for the development of international cultural relations are welcome, but without forgetting the provisions of Article 167 of the Treaty, namely "the Union shall contribute to the full development of the cultures of the Member States while respecting their national diversity", with the aim of improving knowledge and dissemination of the culture and history of the peoples of Europe. We do not want a Europe of nations, but of peoples. I remember the great Venetian people, the Friulian, the Bavarian, the Catalan, the Basque, the Breton and so on. There can be no European Union without the preservation and promotion of history, traditions and individual local identities and without respect for the will of the people, even if this is uncomfortable for high finance or the European elite.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Article 80 of the Treaty on European Union on immigration and asylum policies states that the Union's policies shall be governed by the principle of solidarity, fair sharing of responsibility between the Member States, including financial responsibility. According to the latest Frontex data, there were more than 280 000 irregular border crossings to Europe in the first ten months of 2022, an increase of 77% compared to 2021. In dealing with the migration emergency, Italy has been left completely alone and the much-declaimed European solidarity has unfortunately remained only on paper. Enough promises from the European Union, we demand quick responses, shared management of migration flows and we look forward to common solutions. Italy cannot be Europe's refugee camp and that alone.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the European Union has decided that, from 2035, car manufacturers will no longer be able to sell petrol and diesel cars. A wicked decision, dictated by an ecological phobia that has not evaluated the serious socio-economic consequences deriving from its delirium. With the ban on internal combustion engines, Italy risks losing more than 70 000 jobs between 2025 and 2040. Commissioner Breton said that Europe will lose about 600 000 jobs, with a huge increase in the consumption of raw materials and electricity, saying that the 2035 halt is not a taboo. We welcome this awareness on the part of the Commission in reviewing the decision taken. The energy transition requires gradualness and careful analysis of its socio-economic consequences. The European Union does not dump the madness of environmental groups on European businesses and citizens.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, according to the judgment of the Italian antitrust authority, Nutri-Score, the labelling system that Europe would like to impose on us, was developed on the basis of an algorithm and unrecognised and shared scientific assessments. A blatantly misleading labelling system, which refers to 100 grams of product and not to a portion of consumption that encourages unhealthy behaviors. The real objective of Nutri-Score is not the protection of consumer health, but the failure of the Italian agri-food sector. The European Union must take care of the health of European citizens, promoting proper food education and supporting the excellence of our territory and our tradition. No synthetic foods in the lab. Food security is provided by natural foods and ensured by our farmers.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union states that the European Union ‘shall promote economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity between Member States’. The principle is commendable and commendable, but it applies only on paper. Lately, we have seen little solidarity between Member States. Just think of the failure of the management of migratory flows and the obstructionism of frugal countries on the adoption of the Recovery Fund. Even today, in the face of the serious economic difficulties faced by European citizens because of the high energy, we are witnessing yet another spectacle of a divided and hypocritical Europe. In fact, the principle of solidarity is invoked only when it responds to the interests of the European elite and not when it is necessary for the real needs of families and our businesses, for which adequate and immediate economic aid, more courage and determination are indispensable.