Rome, 28 May (LaPresse) – “Ukraine, I believe, cannot join the EU; the conditions are not right at present. Moreover, there is a serious problem for Europe – and I won’t beat about the bush – which concerns not only Ukraine but other countries as well. A Europe of 27, as we see today, is a Europe that has effectively vanished, that has no voice, that has failed to make its mark in international crises. There is a political deficit in Europe that also concerns the rules of operation, for example the unanimity rule. So, in my view, envisaging further new countries without reviewing the framework is absolutely not a recommendable solution.” This was the view of M5S leader Giuseppe Conte when speaking to reporters outside Montecitorio. “So assessing Ukraine’s situation is not on the agenda today, bearing in mind that Article 42.7 of the Treaty exists, which, as it requires mutual assistance in the event of armed attacks on a European country, would mean going to war against Russia tomorrow morning,” he added. Now, let’s work on the most urgent problems and try to plan the future of Europe in a sustainable way, rather than carrying on like this, haphazardly and on the spur of the moment. In my view, we could consider granting Ukraine and other countries the status and prospect of ‘privileged partner’, which would mean having the opportunity to enjoy mutual benefits, but managing these partnerships very carefully, not least because, as you know, if Ukraine were to join Europe tomorrow morning, we would face a devastating impact on certain sectors, starting with agriculture.”
Ukraine, Conte: ‘The conditions for EU accession are not in place; we would be at war’
Rome, 28 May (LaPresse) – “Ukraine, I believe, cannot join the EU; the conditions are not right at present. Moreover, there is a serious problem for Europe – and I won’t beat about the bush – which concerns not only Ukraine but other countries as well. A Europe of 27, as we see today, is a Europe that has effectively vanished, that has no voice, that has failed to make its mark in international crises. There is a political deficit in Europe that also concerns the rules of operation, for example the unanimity rule. So, in my view, envisaging further new countries without reviewing the framework is absolutely not a recommendable solution.” This was the view of M5S leader Giuseppe Conte when speaking to reporters outside Montecitorio. “So assessing Ukraine’s situation is not on the agenda today, bearing in mind that Article 42.7 of the Treaty exists, which, as it requires mutual assistance in the event of armed attacks on a European country, would mean going to war against Russia tomorrow morning,” he added. Now, let’s work on the most urgent problems and try to plan the future of Europe in a sustainable way, rather than carrying on like this, haphazardly and on the spur of the moment. In my view, we could consider granting Ukraine and other countries the status and prospect of ‘privileged partner’, which would mean having the opportunity to enjoy mutual benefits, but managing these partnerships very carefully, not least because, as you know, if Ukraine were to join Europe tomorrow morning, we would face a devastating impact on certain sectors, starting with agriculture.”
