Mario Draghi
Italian economist, banker and statesman Prime Minister of Italy (2021–2022),
former President of the European Central Bank (2011–2019)
«It is that, over time, we will inexorably become less prosperous, less equal, less secure and,
as a result, less free to choose our destiny»
«The European Union exists to ensure that Europe’s fundamental values are always upheld: democracy, freedom, peace, equity and prosperity in a sustainable environment»
If Europe cannot any longer deliver these values for its people,
it will have lost its reason for being
«The core problem in Europe is that new companies with new technologies are not rising in our economy»
«Innovative companies that want to scale up in Europe are hindered at every stage by the lack of a Single Market and an integrated capital market, stopping the cycle of innovation in its tracks»
«For Europe to succeed, investment in technology and in people cannot substitute for each other. They must go hand in hand»
«Europe faces a trade-off»
«Increasing reliance on China may offer the cheapest route to meeting
our climate targets. But China’s State-sponsored competition represents
a threat to otherwise productive industries, and to the promise that the green transition will bring ‘good green jobs’»
«To be clear: this should not be read by anyone as a call for blanket protectionism»
The first priority is to lower energy prices
«Europe faces a choice between paralysis, exit or integration»
So, integration is our only hope left
Address by Mr. Draghi – Presentation of the report on the Future of European competitiveness, European Parliament, Strasbourg, 17 September 2024
