PM calls Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Monti
"Their conversation focused on the importance of implementing the strong agenda for economic growth and jobs."
The Prime Minister made a phone call to Mario Monti, Prime Minister of Italy, on 28th February 2012.
Following the phone call, a Downing Street spokesperson said:
The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Monti today, ahead of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. Their conversation focused on the importance of implementing the strong agenda for economic growth and jobs which was set out in last week’s letter signed by 12 European countries.
Both leaders welcomed the emergence of a new pro-growth coalition that includes Northern EU countries, such as the UK, and the biggest Southern economies such as Italy and Spain. They agreed on the need for a strong political signal from the whole European Council that there should be a change of gear from Member States and EU institutions alike, to turn ideas into action. This should include improved implementation of the single market, and new timetables for specific steps on de-regulation, innovation and trade liberalisation. They agreed that the pro-growth approach now represented the EU centre of gravity, and that EU leaders had a responsibility to deliver on this opportunity.