"East countries should we now not dictate morality"
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speaks out to solve the refugee crisis for the EU South-East expansion. And he reveals what he does when he wants Angela Merkel resent times.
Matteo Renzi enters vigorously. He almost bounced on the door of the Renaissance Library of Palazzo Chigi, the government palace from the 16th century, together with the photographer. Tempo is his trademark. So far, his government has renewed the right to vote, the Senate, the labor market, public administration and partly Treasury and Civil Law. The Italians he informed daily via Twitter.
Die Welt: What do you tweet today?
Matteo Renzi: ". Civil Justice A structural reform that went by almost unnoticed." We have the latest figures for the first year. They show that the transition to the telematic process (digital file management, d. Red.) Has considerably shortened the processing time. In the city of Rome it has fallen by 48 percent. This also applies to the fight against tax evasion. The digital data synchronization has transported 224,000 tax evaders to day. The ancient Romans would say 'Quantum mutatus from illo!'. How much has changed ... since we are traveling with the rickety campers through the Lombard plain!
An earlier interview with Matteo Renzi, Mayor of Florence at that time, we had done during a trip in the camper, with whom he toured in 2012 as a candidate for the presidency of the PD by Italy. In December 2013. He became party secretary, in February 2014 then Premier.
Die Welt: You are head of government and party, seem to have little competition ...
Renzi: Two years ago in Italy was stopped, fainting. It was the Italians, not I, who had tired of it. They wanted a change of pace. I took office with the intention not to end up like Greece, but to do better than Germany. Now Italy is back and on the right track.
Die Welt: What happened to Silvio Berlusconi has become?
Renzi: Berlusconi is the past. I deal with the future.
The World: Unlike him, join our Chancellor best dogs: They laugh, make jokes together. How is your relationship?
Renzi: It's a good relationship, I guess Angela very. We are very honest with each other and tell us the things as they are, even where our opinions diverge.
The World: Where is this the case?
Renzi: In the vision of European economic policy over the past ten years: It was based on austerity, not on growth. For me that was a mistake. But as long as it stays that way, I will respect the rules. With a deficit of 2.2 percent, we have enforced a labor market reform this year. 2016, the debt will fall for the first time. If I want Angela annoy me, I remind you that Germany has used for three years and exceeded the three-percent mark.
A liveried waiter brings Espresso. Matteo Renzi jumps up, takes the tray, enough even the cups on. The photographer he jokes: "No pictures, I'm not Angela Kellner."
Die Welt: What do you think of Ms. Merkel's refugee policy? Was it right to open the borders? What if they are closed again?
Renzi: We can not build new walls. Today (the interview was held on November 9, the Red.) Is the day that commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall. Walls are built so that they tear. Walls are no protection, they are a trap. The refugee problem we must solve together and us be clear that it will take many years in Europe.
The world: Do we have such a long time?
Renzi: The summit in Malta is on the program for six months. It is important to draw new guidelines for international cooperation with African countries. In Italy I have already made clear that we are still having to spend more money. We are the country which is paying the largest part in the European-Africa Fund. This is a long-term strategy.
The world: In Europe, but now reigns chaos ...
Renzi: Who says he will solve the problem within a week, only plays Marine Le Pen or other right-wing demagogues to the ball. We must not panic. In Italy, the flow of refugees for two years has swelled to twenty times to record levels. I called anyway to rest and reflection, although the opposition was storm. We need a long-term strategy, which is applied on an annual ...
Die Welt: Are not you afraid that the Union can break in the meantime to the right-wing demagogues? They are indeed in Italy, the Lega Nord.
Renzi: hits me particularly the behavior of the newer Member States. You owe Europe a lot. In some Western European countries, parties and politicians have their election and lost items to defend the European idea. Fearing the Polish plumbers went to France a referendum lost! The Western Europeans have paid a political price for the enlargement. It's not okay if these countries now dictate morality. I ask indeed anyone for help for Italy. The number of refugees who come every year to Italy, we create alone. But the entire challenge must tackle as a whole Europe. Alone Italy eventually pay each year nine billion to the Union, which also contribute to the growth of the new member states.
The World: How do you convince people like your Hungarian colleagues Viktor Orbán of it before it's too late?
Renzi: This issue concerns not only Orbán. It does not separate into right and left. It cuts across the parties. The socialists in the Czech Republic and Slovakia are on the same line as Orbán and many Poles. It is a geographical, not a political division between those who know Europe as a great ideal and those who primarily see it as an economic benefit. It embittered me to see that the walls are built, pitfalls for freedom. I want to continue to believe in the great ideal!
The world and the provisional, practical solution?
Renzi: The Union does not exist without common ground in addressing the great dramas and problems of our time. Immigration is a real problem. Hotspots, redistribution, repatriation, all must respect these institutions and rules. But these are technical aspects. The European Union is not just a set of rules and we are not only a union of taxpayers. Europe is a country with 500 million inhabitants. For the world, it is a model of civilization and can do this.
The world: Who has ever looked into the hot spots, know how slow in Europe much running. Is that a model?
Renzi: Everything is slow. We have been condemned by the European Court, because we have people sent back before the judgment of second instance was there. Our share of the work, even in the hot spots, we'll do. We have the people rescued from the Mediterranean, when we were still so alone. Now bring our Navy the dead from the wreck from the seabed, because we want to give them a funeral. We are human beings, not animals. If you hide a child who drowned in the hold of a cutter, then do not count election forecasts. I would put it rather a choice on the line.
The world the other way around: What can Europe do to stem the flow of refugees?
Renzi: It has to change the direction of view. The Union has been extended only to the east. But it was a tragic and historic mistake to omit the Balkans. Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have in the Union have priority.
The world must also return to operate when it is necessary?
Renzi: It can be linked to development projects in the agreements with African countries. That is our strategy. Africa will experience in the next 20 years an enormous upswing. We have begun to invest: in Egypt, Mozambique and Ghana. In Kenya and Ethiopia, there are projects. I myself have visited several countries in sub-Saharan and planning further trips. None of my predecessors in Italy did.
The world: Italy has historically close relations with Libya. Can you help with mediation and formation of a government? What is the status of the negotiations?
Renzi: There is still no solution in sight, only very delicate glimmer of hope. But intervene, bomb, can be briefly celebrate in Tobruk and then the retreat, which is not a strategy. We sit down with all his strength for a diplomatic solution to a, at all focal points of the region. In Lebanon, we are present with our UNIFIL contingent. I have just returned from Riyadh, where I met the Saudi king. I meet soon Hassan Ruhani. Like Germany, Italy is in Afghanistan on site. We need a medium-term strategy and no last-minute solutions. Last Minute makes you travel, but not politics!