(ANSA) - TRIESTE - "I wish I could say we are 'flattered' by the constant attention that minister Kurz devotes to Italian foreign policy in the Mediterranean Sea. I'm sure that if Austria had a fleet, Kurz would immediately announce he is willing to support our ships in Libyan waters, in order to make evident the constant attention he's paying to the EU's external borders", said the president of the FVG Region, Debora Serracchiani, commenting on the words used by Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, who said he "appreciated" that Italy has ratified a code of conduct for NGOs.

"I'm afraid the historic misunderstanding continues", Serracchiani added "according to which each country believes it could save itself through stratagems or special deals. It's a tragic illusion that Europe can achieve any crucial goal by using a policy based on intergovernmental balances, because this strategy has failed so far, not having faced and dealt with historic events such as Arab Spring or migratory flows". "I'm really sorry, but minister Kurz's attitude is not fruitful.

Someone who now announces the closure of the Brenner and then pats on our back: this reflects a vision that may help him win a handful of votes, but - Serracchiani said - will surely leave many issues unresolved, even those which Austria is facing".

(ANSA).