Barroso: Italys EU presidency will be special

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta accompanied by five of his ministers visited the European Commission in Brussels Wednesday afternoon to discuss the European elections in May and the EU Presidency which Italy will take over in July. The five ministers are: Emma Bonino (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Fabrizio Saccomanni (Minister of Economy and Finance), Enrico Giovannini (Minister of Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities), Carlo Trigilia (Minister for Territorial Cohesion) and Enzo Moavero Milanesi (Minister for European Affairs). Speaking at a press conference, European Commission President Jos{ Manuel Barroso said the meeting was an important opportunity to discuss current challenges and priorities for the European Union and Italy. "At the heart of our discussions were our efforts to promote growth and jobs in Europe. We all agreed that 2014 can mark a turning point, for Europe and for Italy," stressed the head of the EUs executive body. "Today, we also discussed fully the Italian presidency of the Council in the second half of 2014. This will be a special presidency, even more delicate than usual presidencies, because it will be presidency of the transitions in the European institutions: a new Parliament and a new Commission," said Barroso. "So the way Italy manages this presidency is extremely important so that we can have not only a smooth transition but also avoid any kind of interruption in the very important work that is now in the pipeline in Europe," he added. On his part, Letta told the joint press conference that todays meeting is important because Italy is preparing for the EU Presidency. He noted that the priorities of the Italian EU Presidency will be growth and jobs. Letta said Italy is now in a good financial position and can make good choices for a longer term. He, however, warned that people are losing faith in the European Union and added that the May elections "will be difficult unless we can show that there is a different kind of Europe. A Europe that will be a solution, not a problem.