Italy and the EU are still
suffering from austerity policies, Premier Matteo Renzi told the
Lower House on Wednesday ahead of an EU summit in Brussels
Thursday and Friday.
We "are still suffering the consequences of a political
line that in the last few years has privileged rigour and
austerity over growth," Renzi said.
The changing of the guard at the European Commission, whose
new members were approved by the European Parliament earlier
today and who take office on November 1, may usher in a shift in
policies from austerity to growth, he added.
"Beginning next week in Brussels, policies may
change...(towards the creation of) a non-bureaucratic Europe
with Italy holding its head high," he said.
He said Italy is glad the EU has, in Rome's eyes, shifted
its focus from austerity to investments.
"We are satisfied...that the tools for growth Italy
proposed will be debated and are included in the final (European
Council) document," Renzi told MPs.
Thursday's European Union summit will be that of "the
already and the not-yet", Renzi told the Lower House as he
outlined his program for this week's meetings of European
leaders with the outgoing as well as the incoming EC.
"Tomorrow's meeting will focus on...economics,
international affairs, climate and energy, but we'll be doing so
with individuals who will see their task end in a few weeks,"
the premier said.
In meetings later this week with other European Union
leaders, Italy can be confident it has met its fiscal
commitments and has made credible efforts towards reform.
Italy has chafed at EU limits on deficit-to-GDP ratios but
has presented a budget with a ratio of less than 3%, he said.
He also played down the importance of a letter that the EC is
set to send his government, asking for clarification on its 2015
budget plan.
"Verification is natural once you send your budget in,"
Renzi told the Lower House. "It doesn't mean we flunked".
The European Union is not a wicked stepmother, the premier
went on.
"We must leave that philosophy behind...because it would
spark suspicion and we would always be looking for potential
risk and danger," Renzi said.
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