‘We have to keep MYTH of united Europe alive’ Italian PM in desperate rallying cry to EU
ITALIAN prime minister Paolo Gentiloni has warned the “myth of a united Europe must be kept alive” despite the EU27 vowing to stand together against Britain during Brexit negotiations.
Paolo Gentiloni arrives at Heads of State meeting in Brussels
In a telling admission, Mr Gentiloni revealed the divisions in the crumbling bloc as he addressed the State of the Union EU conference in Italy.
Mr Gentiloni called for Brussels to remember its founding values and urged Europeans “to show our roots with pride”.
In a bizarre conclusion, the Italian PM said: “We have to keep the myth alive - the myth of a united Europe.”
Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni has warned the “myth of a united Europe must be kept alive”
We have to keep the myth alive - the myth of a united Europe
His comments are at odds with other EU27 leaders who have insisted the bloc stands united.
In January Mr Gentiloni stood next to German chancellor Angela Merkel as she said Europe must not become divided.
Last month the EU rubber-stamped the Brexit negotiating guidelines making no changes to the draft indicating at this stage few major difference have emerged.
Mr Gentiloni revealed the divisions in the crumbling bloc
Theresa May has stressed the EU27 are “united in their determination to do a deal that works for them”.
It comes as Brussels and London continue to exchange blows over Brexit as relations stall ahead of formal negotiations.
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said "English is losing importance in Europe" as he accused the UK of "abandoning" the EU at the same event.
Juncker speaks French as English is ‘less’ important in EU
The senior Brussels bureaucrat made the mocking remark during a conference speech delivered in French.
Speaking to the event in Italy, Mr Juncker said: "I will express myself in French because, slowly but surely, English is losing importance in Europe."
The EU chief was hitting back after Mrs May sent shockwaves through Brussels with a dramatic Downing Street statement on Wednesday, accusing unnamed "European politicians and officials" of issuing threats deliberately timed to affect the General Election vote.
Angela Merkel said Europe must not become divided as she stood next to Paolo Gentiloni
EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker has stoked tensions this week
European Parliament president Antonio Tajani rejected the Prime Minister's claim and a spokesman for Mr Juncker said his office was too busy to meddle in the election.
The row blew up after a German newspaper published an apparently well-briefed account of the Prime Minister's meeting with key Brussels figures in No 10 last week.
It reportedly ended with Mr Juncker saying he was "10 times more sceptical" of the likelihood of a successful Brexit.