“I hope that U.S.-EU free-trade negotiations have not been put at risk”, stated Minister Emma Bonino, who called for “a bit more calm” in making judgments. Clarification from the United States on its alleged engagement in espionage is “indispensable for maintaining mutual trust, but awareness of the importance of the free-trade treaty is a must”.
A “spirit of collaboration and friendship” between U.S., Europe and Italy
The minister underscored that a U.S.-EU accord would carry “a price tag, and I hope that every European country is ready and willing to make compromises”. In any case, she said, responding to a question in the margins of a Confindustria conference, even those “that have used the most threatening tones” regarding what has been labeled ‘’Datagate’’, are convinced that the free-trade negotiations must not be blocked. In an interview for daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, the minister referred to the affair as “very sensitive”, saying that ”we expect answers” but “are confident”, and that The U.S, Italy and Europe shared a “spirit of collaboration and friendship”.
