The President of the European Council, Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, had a meeting today in Vienna with the Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
“I have a long-standing, good working relationship with Romano Prodi and I am pleased to welcome him in the context of the upcoming European Council”, Chancellor Schüssel said. He referred to the excellent cooperation between Austria and Italy during Prodi’s first term as Italian premier and to the steps towards EU integration accomplished during Prodi’s term in office as Commission President from 1999 to 2004. “Romano Prodi’s work and commitment as European Commission President played an essential part in the successful introduction of the euro and the smooth EU enlargement round on 1 May 2004”, Schüssel remarked.
Schüssel announced that drilling of the first pilot tunnel for the Brenner base tunnel would begin on 30 June. He thanked Prime Minister Prodi for Italy’s support in this connection. “This transport project is currently the biggest, most interesting and most fascinating construction project in the whole of the EU. Construction will now begin on the last day of our Presidency.”
In reply to a question on South Tyrol, Schüssel described Prime Minister Prodi as a guarantor of good neighbourly relations. “South Tyrol is also a prime example of good relations within a large country. We are very satisfied with the situation at present”, Schüssel said.
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