FLORENCE, ITALY – Italy has saved Europe’s honor on migrant rescue and reception, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told The State of the Union conference in Florence.
«So we must show solidarity with both Italy and Grece which are not responsible for their geographical position. They are where they are and we have to take that into account,” he said. “Faced with the consequences of the migratory flow, the European Council took a decision by qualified majority, but there is a certain number of member countries that do not accept this decision: if Europe starts not respecting legal norms in this field, we will be lost,» Juncker went on in reference to countries that have refused to take in their share of migrants.
«I’d like a certain number of member States to understand: it’s a question here of putting into practice, and translating into law, the idea we have of Europe and humanity. You can’t say ‘we won’t let coloured men and women enter our territory, or who aren’t Catholics: that does not belong to the real nature of Europe».
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Friday chose to address The State of the Union conference in Florence in French because «English is losing importance in Europe». He added that he wanted French voters, who go to the polls to elect Emmanuel Macron or Marine Le Pen president Sunday, «to understand what I have to say about Europe and the nations».
Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano the EU must try to place the citizen at the centre of the European agenda. Saying that Italy was proud of its migrant rescue work in the Mediterranean, Alfano added that Mediterranean challenges are an opportunity for common EU defense. He also said that it would be a mistake to consider the EU’s conquests as irreversible.
Discover more from Florence Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

«English is losing importance in Europe». Which language does he think the political players of the rest of the world speak; English or French? He is displaying a bit of a temper tantrum over Brexit. But, the old guy has long been out of touch and needs to go. This is just another example of how his politics overrides his ability to be rational.
the immigration from Africa and the arab countries must be stopped before Italy is lost