00:00As you have seen, this was an intense European Council meeting, with several items on the agenda.
00:05I'll quickly focus on the issues that were and remain most important to us.
00:10Competitiveness, particularly energy prices.
00:13I'm pleased that the European Council's conclusions include several issues we raised in recent weeks,
00:19including in the document we drafted together with the Czech Republic regarding the ETS.
00:24There is a reference to market stability, a reference to ETS2, and the need to assess the timeline and safeguards
00:32for ETS2.
00:33There is also a reference to the ETS's review, which is particularly urgent.
00:38Alongside this, as you have seen, we have also concluded negotiations with the European Commission on the so-called electricity
00:46bills decree.
00:47This concerns measures we introduced several months ago that required approval from the European Commission.
00:53It was a lengthy but constructive negotiation that allowed us to reach a solution.
00:58This is very important because it enables us to address how electricity prices are determined
01:04and how the cost of natural gas affects electricity prices, particularly in recent days and in the current circumstances.
01:12This allows us to take action to lower energy bills.
01:16I consider this a very important achievement, and I'm very pleased with the result.
01:20I'm also optimistic because I spoke with President van der Leyen about Italy's requests for greater flexibility
01:27in dealing with the difficult situation that all member states are clearly facing.
01:32I believe significant progress is being made, and I think there is room for greater flexibility within the existing rules,
01:40including regarding energy investments.
01:42We also discussed migration.
01:44This was the beginning of a debate that will conclude at the next European Council meeting.
01:49I believe the European Commission's announcement of new measures is particularly important.
01:55The Commission will work with member states to assess how a framework of measures could be established
02:00to allow countries to respond immediately in the event of a crisis or emergency.
02:06What we saw happen in SETA at the beginning of August illustrates this kind of scenario.
02:12That's why there is a reference to an emergency framework and tools that national governments can use to respond in
02:19such situations.
02:21This is particularly important to us because, as you may recall, we raised this issue months ago, well before the
02:28SETA crisis.
02:29We did so through one of our security bills.
02:32Today, this Iqalian proposal is being taken up, recognized, and developed by the European Commission.
02:39Regarding the multi-annual financial framework, as you know, we have so far defended the funding allocated to cohesion policy
02:47and the common agricultural policy, which are our priorities.
02:51Although discussions on this issue still have a long way to go, we also discussed Ukraine and met with President
02:58Zelensky.
02:59We exchanged views on how to continue providing effective support to the nation that has been attacked.
03:06I'll stop here for now, hoping I haven't left out anything important.
03:10Please go ahead with your questions.
03:12Minister, negotiations on energy have been going on for a long time.
03:17What eventually broke the deadlock last night?
03:19And on immigration, did you speak with President Sanchez?
03:23I spoke with President Sanchez, the prime minister, yesterday.
03:27We agreed that our interior ministers would work together next week to replace the measures we currently have in place
03:33against each other with other forms of cooperation.
03:36So we are moving toward a different kind of solution, while continuing to monitor the situation to ensure that the
03:43Schengen system functions properly,
03:45and at the same time, that our national borders are protected.
03:48As for energy, regarding what broke the deadlock, I believe that when you effectively explain to your colleagues the difficulties
03:56different member states are facing,
03:58it becomes easier for them to understand your position and offer support.
04:03We all share the same responsibilities, and each of us is trying to do the best we can for the
04:09country we represent.
04:10Italy has been particularly determined on energy issues, but we're not alone.
04:16Several other countries share our position and agree that excessive rigidity in the use of certain instruments ultimately makes the
04:23situation worse.
04:24I tried to explain this using charts and other visual aids, showing how certain policy choices introduced in a particular
04:32year caused energy costs for our businesses to rise.
04:36This has contributed to a degree of de-industrialization in Europe, where industries that once manufactured products here have disappeared,
04:45leaving us dependent on imports from countries that do not meet the same environmental standards we do.
04:51When rules create distortions, those rules need to be corrected.
04:56That's what Italy has been trying to do from the beginning, and I believe we are making progress on this
05:01issue as well.
05:03Prime Minister, turning to Italy, would you like to comment on today's student protests, including some incidents involving violence?
05:10Let me first address the protests involving truck drivers and the ILVA steel plant, because I worked on these issues
05:18today with both Minister Salvini and Minister Giorgetti, particularly regarding the road transport sector.
05:25As you know, Minister Salvini has called a meeting with the relevant associations.
05:30We have always been strongly supportive of this sector, which is clearly facing significant difficulties.
05:36We're also working to provide further assistance.
05:39As you may know, another meeting has been scheduled at Palazzo Kigi, between the government and the unions representing ILVA.
05:47These steps have helped us clear the blockades that the unions were organizing.
05:51We'll do everything we can to address these issues.
05:54I want to remind everyone that we are not the ones who shut down ILVA.
05:59We're the ones who have to manage the situation.
06:01Since this government took office, approximately 5 billion euros has been invested in ILVA through direct funding from the Italian
06:09state and funds from Invitali.
06:12So we're working on all these issues.
06:14As for the students, I've organized dozens of demonstrations myself since I was young.
06:20I'm always pleased to see people mobilize.
06:23I've always believed that it's a positive sign for democracy when people want to express their views.
06:28But violence is another matter.
06:31Throwing homemade explosive devices is another matter.
06:34Attacking law enforcement officers is another matter.
06:37I believe we must be very clear about this, and we should all agree on that principle.
06:42I say this because I've been watching comments from opposition leaders about the protests.
06:48They criticize the government, as they are entitled to do,
06:51But they seem unable to offer even a single word condemning the violence or the attacks on police officers.
06:58I genuinely ask all Italian political parties to call for demonstrations that are large, even larger, widely attended and energetic,
07:07but peaceful.
07:09I want everyone to be clear on this.
07:11I ask all Italian political parties to condemn violence without hesitation.
07:16This is a matter of responsibility and concerns all of us.
07:19Beyond that, I'm always pleased when people participate in public life.
07:24One final question about Ukraine.
07:27Zelensky has requested additional assistance and has called on Europe to make up for what could be a shortfall in
07:34support from the United States.
07:35Is Italy planning to send more aid?
07:38I believe military assistance involving France was planned for October.
07:43Who would it be for?
07:44That falls under the responsibility of Minister Croseto.
07:47I know he's been dealing with the matter.
07:50As you know, we try to provide assistance wherever we can, but I'm not directly responsible for the details of
07:56the aid packages.
07:57Whenever we're able to provide assistance, we clearly do our part.
08:01How will Europe respond to Zelensky's request for 60 billion euros for 2027 for interceptor missiles from Europe,
08:09given that the United States is now focused on the Middle East?
08:13And what about using the frozen Russian assets?
08:16Regarding the use of frozen assets, as you know, there has been extensive debate.
08:21The issue is extremely complex.
08:24Clearly, we would all welcome a situation where the aggressor could be made to pay for the damage caused by
08:30the war.
08:30However, the legal aspects of the issue have been discussed extensively.
08:35As for the other matters, I've already answered that question.
08:38Every country is trying to do its part, and we're trying to do ours.
08:43Given the latest developments we have seen in the last few days,
08:47I believe it was particularly important for this European Council to use very clear language regarding sanctions against Russia.
08:55Sanctions have been one of our most effective deterrents over the past several years,
09:00and I believe we must not take a step backward on this issue.
09:04Thank you, and have a good day.
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