Memo: Spokesman Statement

In a meeting on 25 March, Mr Silvio Berlusconi asked Mr Mario Monti whether he would be prepared to join, as an independent and non-parliamentary personality, the government he intended to form in case of success at the Italian elections of 13.5.01, and offered him the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr Monti expressed his deep appreciation for the proposal but decided to decline the offer, for a number of reasons. He wished to honour the commitment undertaken in 1999 upon his reconfirmation as member of the Commission. He was deeply engaged in further strengthening the Community competition policy, so as to make the European economy more dynamic and competitive, and in paving the ground for co-operation among antitrust authorities worldwide. He intened to contribute, under the Presidency of Romano Prodi, to strengthening the institutional and political role of the Commission as the motor of integration. He aslo felt that working for the construction of Europe fulfilled a fundamental strategic interest of Italy.