(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi presented to the European Parliament (EP) his country's priorities for the EU presidency for the next six months in Strasbourg on Wednesday afternoon one day after Italy assumed the rotating EU Presidency
He called on European leaders to act with conviction and determination to keep Europe in the lead on global issues
His speech to the MEPs touched upon a broad range of issues, from the Italian contribution to Europe through the ages to the place of Europe in a fast-changing world
Renzi acknowledged that the crisis had left "all of us with a deep wound," saying Europe faced a challenge to rediscover its soul, history and values
"We now have stability. We are asking for growth to be a fundamental element of European policy," he said
On his part, Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, welcomed Italy's reform agenda and pledged to support "the main themes of the incoming presidency: growth, citizens, external action." Earlier today, the EP President and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras presented the achievements of his country's EU Presidency which ended on June 30
Samaras cited progress on forming Europe's banking union, improving border and migration management and laying foundations for jobs and growth
Even though Greece and the EU as a whole had been "seriously challenged" over the past three years, people across the Union managed to show solidarity and the ability to change to become more competitive, he added
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