"Austria's unilateral bans are unacceptable and unsustainable because they block the main axis of connection between southern and northern Europe and face the inertia of the multi-year Commission, which is shameful after four years of waiting, for a negotiated solution, which does not has arrived. Together with President Meloni and Minister Fitto and the other competent ministers, we have decided for the first time in history to formally activate the procedure provided for by Article 259 of the Establishing Treaty of the EU", said the deputy prime minister and minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Matteo Salvini, at question time.
"We have prepared a substantial dossier that collects and analyzes all the scientific, environmental and economic data that demonstrate the groundlessness, arrogance and injustice of the Austrian choice", explained Salvini. "By May 15th the Commission will have to decide whether or not to adopt a reasoned opinion" but "regardless of whether or not the Commission decides, Italy will still be able to decide whether or not to appeal to the Court".
The minister explained that it is "the first time that Italy has used this tool so it seems difficult to say what the results of the hearing will be". But "we expect that the rights of all economic operators will finally be respected", added Salvini, underlining that "in Brussels they will have to choose whether we are in a community of equals or in an economic union serving the interests and lobbies of some" .
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