Are we all clear that we want to build something that can aspire to be a world power - not just a trading bloc, but a political entity?

The Italian economy is certainly the weakest of the big European countries.

Are we all clear that we want to build something that can aspire to be a world power - not just a trading bloc, but a political entity?

But Italy can only have any real influence on world affairs if it carries weight in Europe.

In the darkest days of European history, America stood close by us and today we stand close by America. Nothing will ever be the same.

The problem of Italy is not really a question of age. Japan has an older population, and it is now in full economic recovery. The problem is that Italy is old in the structure of the society.

I am sure the euro will oblige us to introduce a new set of economic policy instruments. It is politically impossible to propose that now. But some day there will be a crisis and new instruments will be created.