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

I don't want to pass a punitive law, or use politics as a vendetta.

We must now face the difficult task of moving towards a single economy, a single political entity .. For the first time since the fall of the Roman Empire we have the opportunity to unite Europe.

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.

We have to give ourselves a constitution which marks the birth of Europe as a political entity.

We are involved in a constitution-building process of historic importance. The Convention should mark a new stage in European integration.

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