Event report

MFE Puglia, AICCRE Puglia, Europe Direct Puglia, University of Bari Jonico, European Mediterranean Association — AEM, Taranto Quality of Life of Taranto, ACCRE Puglia, Europe Direct Puglia, University of Bari Jonico, European Mediterranean Association — AFM, Taranto Quality Committee. The main purpose of the meeting was to promote the Conference on the Future of Europe. The initiative involved approximately 44 people who are mainly members of the various associations and sympathisers. The age group included people aged 25 to 85. The main topics covered were the Political and Fiscal Union of the European Union and the establishment of the European Mediterranean Macroregion. The initiative was welcomed with great interest, the debate was lively and led to the sharing of different ideas. “The Conference on the Future of Europe: European citizens became "held on 6 May 2021 and was chaired by Professor Ennio Triggiani, President of MFE Puglia. The first report was by Mr Alessandro Delle Noci (Regional Minister for Economic Development and International Policies, Energy Networks and Infrastructure) and concerned the Recovery Plan and the Mezzogiorno of Italy. For Delle Noci, it is important to devote investment in infrastructure and logistical connections to make Italy the real link between the Mediterranean and Europe. A key challenge is energy production, conversion and environmental sustainability. Another important issue for the territory, in order to make southern Italy more integrated, is digital access to the international market. — The second report was by Prof. Ivan Ingravallo (Head of the Chair of International Law University of Bari — Jonico Department) and elaborated on the issues of direct, indirect and participatory representative democracy at the various levels of the European Union. The importance of participation at all levels and from the bottom up was reiterated. MFE (Apulia Secretary) supported the importance of the open and inclusive process of CofoE in order to feel European citizens. The European Union has made peace between Member States possible to date, and for more than 70 years, and it is now necessary to continue with the federal leap in political and fiscal union. The United States of Europe is the way to effectively address important foreign and security policy, immigration, health, labour, environment and energy issues. Simona Ciullo also reiterated the importance of the establishment of the European Mediterranean Macro-Region for southern Italy, the conference could be an opportunity to resume this European strategy which has been in the pipeline for many years. To this end, it is necessary to equip the South of Italy with infrastructure to enable Italy as a whole to become the bridge between Europe and the Mediterranean. — Prof. Giuseppe Valerio (President of AICCRE Puglia) stressed the importance of all the regions of the Mezzogiorno joining and agreeing in the planned initiatives with the Recovery Plan. For Valerio, it is necessary to convey all the ideas that will emerge from the debate and then upload them to the Conference on the Future of Europe platform. These ideas should ideally call for the emergence of a new treaty and the emergence of a federal Europe where citizens count more than governments. Prof. Carmine Carlucci (President of the Taranto Life Quality Committee) strongly argues that the Conference should overrule the veto of unanimity in Treaty changes and proceed with reforms for a federal union of the European Union. — Prof. Cosimo Inferrera (President of the European Mediterranean Association) increases the dose and strengthens the position of the other participants that the Conference on the Future of Europe is important for the realisation of the European Mediterranean Macro-Region. — Prof. Giuseppe Moggia (Deputy President of AICCRE Puglia), on the other hand, stated that the concept of European citizenship, and the rights attached to it, should again be central to the actions of the European Union. The Conference on the Future of Europe should enshrine the consolidation of Fundamental Rights and Common Values as the founding pillar of the European integration process. — Prof. Rocco Giordano (Deputy President of the European Mediterranean Association) addressed the issue of the importance of the connection between Africa and Europe. According to Giordano, we can have a more united economic and political Europe if we can have more territorial cohesion and a strategic design of the whole Mezzogiorno of Italy and Europe. On this issue, it would be important to allow the Mezzogiorno a different reading from that given by the individual Italian regions on what it means to be European and Mediterranean citizens. The silk route has now come to an end and it is necessary to start with the cotton route: Federated midday that can be the link between Europe, the African continent and the Mediterranean. Prof. Nicola Cristofaro (Head of the MFE Debate Office Puglia) expressed his views on the importance of the Conference on the Future of Europe as an instrument for the inclusion of all citizens, also thanks to the important role and intermediary of associations. — Dr Giuseppe Abbati (Secretary General AICCRE Puglia) invited the associations to participate in the CofoE. Abbati also expressed its view on the need to return to playing a leading role in the Mediterranean, and to this end the connection between southern Italy, Italy, the Mediterranean and Europe is important. He also asked not to have 27 embassies in Europe and around the world, but only a Europe. He also calls for the European Union to come up with a team called ‘Europe’ in the Olympic Games. The debate led the participants to share the following ideas: — Amendment of the Lisbon Treaty by majority vote; Realising the United States of Europe; — The European Macroregion of the Mediterranean; — Participation in the Olympic Games with a single team “Europe”; Abolition of the 27 embassies in the world in favour of a commune called “Europe”.