The 1941 Manifesto of Ventotene is a
piece of history that launched for the first time the idea of a
federal Europe, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola
said on Thursday on the sidelines of a press conference in
Brussels.
The Manifesto, which was circulated within the Italian
Resistance and soon became the programme of the European
Federalist Movement, contained "the first traces of the idea of
a federal Europe", said Metsola.
"Europe grew on the shoulders of many giants, including
Italians.
"Yesterday, I discussed with Meloni only about today's issues, I
certainly don't want to question her European commitment, what I
can say is that, if we look at the way Europe developed, Italy
has always been at the centre", noted Metsola.
Premier Giorgia Meloni's statement Wednesday that the Manifesto
did not represent the Europe she envisions has sparked a
political controversy in Italy.
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