We need more Europe to address the current challenges. From the terror attacks to the refugee crisis, from the threat posed by climate change to soaring unemployment, all the crucial issues confronting EU member states highlight the need to give new momentum to European integration. This will be the key topic of the visit that the President of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, Laura BOLDRINI, will make to Brussels on 7-8 December next, during which she will also meet representatives of EU Institutions.
In particular, the President will present to the Presidents of the European Parliament, Martin SCHULZ, and of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Junker, the Declaration on “Greater European Integration: the Way Forward”, signed on 14 September last in Rome, at the Chamber of Deputies, by the Presidents of the German Bundestag, the French National Assembly and Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies.
At this critical moment in history, the text that President Boldrini is going to present – also on behalf of the other three signatories – is meant to reaffirm the values and goals of the European project. No country of the European Union can safeguard its own interests effectively by acting alone in a globalized world. A stronger Europe is required, a project based on the respect for fundamental rights, principles of social market economy, fight against inequality, sustainable growth. The ongoing integration process should not be limited to economic and financial policies: it must also include foreign policy, security and defence policy, ultimately leading to the creation of a federal union of States.
Besides the four initial signatories, the Presidents of the Cypriot and Bulgarian Parliaments also expressed their support for the Declaration. The Parliaments of Austria, Portugal and Malta have also announced their intention to join. After presenting the Declaration to the institutions of the European Union, in the next few weeks the President of the Chamber will also meet the Presidents of other Parliaments to achieve wider consensus on a federal EU project, also in preparation of the forthcoming Conference of the Presidents of EU Parliaments to be held in Luxembourg in May 2016.
During her visit to Brussels, the President of the Chamber will also meet the Chairs of the different political groups of the European Parliament and Italian MEPs. Meetings with the Presidents of both Houses of the Belgian Parliament and representatives of the Italian community living in the country are also scheduled.
