ROME -- President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker arrived in Rome on Friday to rebuild bridges with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, after a recent disagreement.  They were meeting over lunch to discuss immigration, the economy, and investments.  According to a European source they plan to also try to relaunch European integration together, which has been threated recently by an increase in national egoism.

  The face-to-face, to take stock of their flexibility and the necessity of repairing the cracks that have appeared in the EU, was set to go in a positive direction.  On the eve of the EU Commissioner’s meeting, all sources close to him confirmed that this meeting was an entirely political one: they are not expected to make any decisions, but just to discuss ideas on the future of the Union, and in particular on proposals made recently by the Italian government to take further steps in the face of economic and monetary integration.  However the ‘hot topics’, although intended to stay at the fringes of the meeting, were no doubt present.

  Also set for Friday is the publication in Brussels of documents that capture the macroeconomic imbalance of the various EU partners.  It’s already recognised that for Italy – whilst their progress has been recognised across many sectors – the finger will be pointed at high debt, low competitiveness, and the fragility of the banking system.  Then there is the flexibility ‘node’, which won’t be dissolved until May, and other open issues such at the procedure for VAT, the seaside and the many concessionary fines that Italy are paying for the violation of environmental standards.

  The face-to-face between Renzi and Juncker follows the cordial meeting at on the sidelines of the last EU Council, together with the president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz.  This is Juncker’s second State visit since he became the European Commissioner, and falls on the second anniversary of the Renzi government.  Beyond the diplomatic courtesies though, Palazzo Chigi is calling for greater transparency from the Brussels executive, along with the goal of pushing for a greater and more rapid commitment to the Juncker plan.

  The Italy of reform, as is Renzi’s doctorate, has restarted and is ready to do its part to restore Europe’s strength.  According to Italian sources their attitude, however, is not one of a student waiting for the permission of their teacher, but of a country who as an equal wants to find a way to revive Europe.  This meeting comes before the Italian Prime Minister’s next round of European meetings: March 7 he will be back in Brussels for the EU-Turkey summit on migrants, March 8 he has a bilateral meeting with Francois Hollande, and on March 12 he will be at the Paris summit of the socialist EU leaders.

  At the centre of the meeting there was also set to be a discussion on the ‘Padoan document’ which European sources say, despite coming from Rome, has new ideas that correspond “with the virtuous ‘triangular’ approach of the commission, based on three main pillars: structural reform, fiscal responsibility, and an ambitious programme of investment.”  No tension therefore should be on the table in this idea sharing, “In his 35 year political career,” say the same sources, “Juncker has also looked for consensus.  He will continue to search