Mattarella: “Climate, migrants, Covid: global challenges require EU unity”

The European Union, as in the post-war period, “is today once again facing global emergencies of historic significance, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the dramatic consequences of climate change, uncontrolled migratory flows, the unjustifiable aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and its devastating humanitarian, geo-political and economic consequences.Evidence that has offered and still requires unity, solidarity and a joint effort to defend those values ​​that unite us and without which the Union would have no reason to exist: the State of law, fundamental freedoms, democracy. Today, more than ever, it is necessary to continue the construction of Europe, with courage”, writes the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarellain a message sent to ‘The State of the Union’ Conference organized by the European University Institute in Fiesole, in the province of Florence.

“In times of greatest difficulty – recalls the head of state – renewal is essential and decisive. ‘Building Europe in times of uncertainty’, reads the theme chosen for today’s event, grasping the sense of the challenge. We can draw from history a lesson: Europe has shown that it knows how to face the most difficult challenges and crises, emerging from them stronger and more cohesive. The reasons for the European founding pact are more current than ever”.

Mattarella continues in his message: “Europe, in the most uncertain and disheartening moment of its history, knew how to do the improbable as possible. The European peoples, at the end of a bloody and fratricidal war, united by deciding to build their own future, laying the foundations for a lasting peace”, recalls the president underlining that “since then a common European path has been launched which, not without difficulties, contradictions and even failures, continues along its trajectory, representing a successful experience “.