Nations must guard against revival of nationalism, xenophobia: Italian PM

Berlin Feb 8 (IANS/AKI) Nations must guard against any resurgence of nationalism xenophobia or racism Italy s Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Wednesday.

"The European model of an open society works and we must keep investing against a revival of nationalism or xenophobic or racist attitudes " Gentiloni said in his address at the Humboldt University here.

"We absolutely cannot give up democracy and liberty " he said during the speech on Italy s relations with Germany.

Gentiloni cut short his official visit after German Chancellor Angela Merkel rescheduled their meeting when negotiations on a coalition government stretched into Wednesday from a weekend deadline.

He also said that Italy France and Germany three founder members of the European Union s forerunner have a "special responsibility" at a time of strong demand for "Europe".

"Italy France and Germany have the responsibility to respond to a demand for Europe that cuts across the contemporary world a special responsibility even though it is not an exclusive one " Gentiloni said.

Italy must not be France and Germany s "jealous cousin" but should aim to play a leading role in Europe too by coming up with its own "proposals and ideas" Gentiloni had said earlier.

--IANS/AKI
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