Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission, landed shortly after 15.30 pm today at Bologna airport. A few minutes later, the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and the Minister for European Affairs, Raffaele Fitto, also landed on a flight from Ciampino. To welcome them, the president of Emilia-Romagna, Stefano Bonaccini, the prefect of Bologna, Attilio Visconti, and the head of Civil Protection, Fabrizio Curcio. The delegation immediately flew for a reconnaissance on an Air Force helicopter of the areas affected by floods, landslides and landslides. Around 17 pm the helicopter landed again at the airport of the capital, for a press point, at the end of which Meloni will leave for Rome to preside over the Council of Ministers, while von der Leyen will continue the visit on the ground with Bonaccini and Fitto.
"Thanks to the president who wanted to come to Emilia to realize the situation that the region and the whole nation is facing", said the Prime Minister, "I was with her in the first days in Japan: she immediately showed her solidarity. I would also like to thank the other Heads of State who have offered their availability. The European Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated and nine Member States have already offered their availability: there are already very concrete signs of solidarity from a European point of view. The support of the Union can be very important at this stage: in the coming weeks, having made the overall estimate of the flood damage, we will request the activation of the solidarity fund, which unfortunately Italy has already had to access other times".
"I think it was important that von der Leyen saw with her own eyes the extent of the problem - he added - the multiform problems because we will need special attention on this region, on the other funds, from cohesion funds onwards, I think of the agricultural issue".
"Last Sunday when I came here the thing that struck me most, in addition to the devastation, was the reaction of the people - she then said - Here you will find a very proud people who have already rolled up their sleeves, who are already working for reconstruction, who have not broken down and do not resign and this gives us the responsibility to be at their height "
"It is heartbreaking to see the devastation caused by the floods in the beautiful region of Emilia Romagna - said von der Leyen - I have come here to tell you that Europe is mourning with you. And that we are at your side. The civil protection mechanism has been activated, some Member States have already offered help, water pumps have arrived from Slovakia and Belgium, many people have come here to make them work. It is a very good example of European solidarity. And I was impressed by the hundreds of volunteers, what you call the mud angels. It was very nice to see."
To the emergency there is "a structured approach", he also explained, "the cohesion fund can be used. If we look at the Next Generation EU plan there are 6 billion for prevention, there is a structural approach and all these and other resources that we can draw on".