Bundestag President Visits Italian Embassy on Republic’s 70th Anniversary
President of the Bundestag Norbert Lammert Visited the Italian Embassy on the Occasion of the 70th Anniversary
June 10th, 2016
Every year on June 2nd, Italian embassies throughout the world celebrate the anniversary of the Italian Republic, which was formed in 1946 when the Italian population universally voted to get rid of the Monarchy. On this special occasion, the Italian ambassador to Berlin welcomed the Bundestag President Norbet Lammert, and praised the cooperation between the two countries.
The Italian ambassador also pointed out the challenges Europe is facing, and stressed the need for a well-established parliamentary dialogue. “The multiple dimensions of the German-Italian friendship - whether traditions or expectations for the future - are just so important because they cover all levels of the relationships between the respective civil societies: from politics to deep-rooted system of economic and trade relations through cultural exchange.
Such a high level of bilateral ties is in difficult times such as we are currently experiencing, the most important tool that we have available. It helps us to confidently look to the future. but yet we know only too well that confidence is not "alone" enough. It must be established underpinned by solid projects that serve common perspectives”, said the Ambassador in his opening speech.
He outlined that there is no issue related to the EU, on which Germany and Italy do not agree. From political cooperation in security and defence, to the fight against terrorism, the growth of economy and employment, the management of migration flows, the two countries share the same goals. Yet there are sometimes differences in how such objectives are to be achieved, and it is why Rome and Berlin need to work together to find a solution with regards to instruments.
The Italian Ambassador then pointed out the several initiatives being undertaken by the Italian government in terms of economic growth and the management of migration flows, respectively represented by the “Shared European Policy Strategy for Growth, Jobs, and Stability” and the “Migration Compact”. This last document was welcomed by the last Council of Foreign Affairs, and proposes targeted solutions for many aspects of the migration crisis. The background of the initiative is to see Africa as a partner and not as a source of problems.
He then went on to say “today, the term Europe is associated frequently and almost exclusively with the crises and challenges occurring in conjunction internationally - economically and geopolitically. At each new alarm the continued existence of its institutions has come into question. If this Europe is mentioned, it is referred to as a purely abstract Europe. But people often forget that Europe is the sum of our behaviour, our decisions and our projects. Simply put, we are Europe.”
References:
News from Berlin
Laura Serra, Berlin Global
