Premier Paolo Gentiloni told
representatives of European business and labour Friday that "we
must continue without hesitation and with determination in the
process of reforms, at a European and national level, to make
our economies more competitive and better able to look to the
future, but also more cohesive and just".
Gentiloni said at the 'Social Europe' summit ahead of
Saturday's EU summit marking the 60th anniversary of the Treaty
of Rome that "celebrating what we have achieved in these decades
and reflecting on the common priorities ahead of us, we cannot
fail to think of working men and women, businessmen and women
who have given strength to the European economy.
"Our community draws from work its greatest strength and
value, and work and know-how must be the source of any
reflection on the future".
He said "strengthening the European welfare model" was a
"responsibility we all feel".
The EU dream has "lost impetus and inspiration," Italian
trade unions leaders said at the summit.
"We must overcome glaring policy mistakes," said CISL leader
Anna Maria Furlan, also speaking for CGIL and UIL.
"Unregulated globalisation must be reined in, because
millions of people don't feel represented," she went on,
illustrating the unions' proposals.
Furlan added that more resources are needed to relaunch the
economy, via Eurobonds and a bigger mandate for the ECB, and
called for funds to boost employment.
The unions also said that the EU must continue to welcome
refugees fleeing war and desperation.
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