Renzi compares EU to an 'exhausted' selfie
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Wednesday presented his plan for Italy’s EU presidency, remarking that if Europe took a photograph of itself it would be one of “exhaustion”.
Speaking to MEPs at the European Parliament in Strasbourg as Italy takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe, Renzi said he saw a tired Europe.
“With extreme worry, I must say that if Europe today took a selfie, an exhausted face would emerge, in some cases one of resignation,” he was quoted in Ansa as saying.
The prime minister called for greater unity among the EU’s 28 countries, arguing “if we keep closing ourselves inside our borders, we won't move forward.”
Italy’s six-month presidency would focus on economic growth in the EU, but Renzi warned “the human dimension” must not be forgotten.
.@matteorenzi agli europarlamentari italiani: parola chiave del semestre #IT2014EU “deve essere coraggio ed orgoglio” pic.twitter.com/sWv1c73lW9
— IT EU Presidency (@IT2014EU) July 2, 2014
Matteo Renzi speaking at the European Parliament on Wednesday.
The premier also said all must be done to maintain eurosceptic Britain within the bloc.
"Europe without the UK would not only be less rich, but less Europe and less itself," he said, adding that "Europe can be a place of the future if we all play for it together."
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Speaking to MEPs at the European Parliament in Strasbourg as Italy takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe, Renzi said he saw a tired Europe.
“With extreme worry, I must say that if Europe today took a selfie, an exhausted face would emerge, in some cases one of resignation,” he was quoted in Ansa as saying.
The prime minister called for greater unity among the EU’s 28 countries, arguing “if we keep closing ourselves inside our borders, we won't move forward.”
Italy’s six-month presidency would focus on economic growth in the EU, but Renzi warned “the human dimension” must not be forgotten.
.@matteorenzi agli europarlamentari italiani: parola chiave del semestre #IT2014EU “deve essere coraggio ed orgoglio” pic.twitter.com/sWv1c73lW9
— IT EU Presidency (@IT2014EU) July 2, 2014 Matteo Renzi speaking at the European Parliament on Wednesday.
The premier also said all must be done to maintain eurosceptic Britain within the bloc.
"Europe without the UK would not only be less rich, but less Europe and less itself," he said, adding that "Europe can be a place of the future if we all play for it together."
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