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", Italian premier Paolo Gentiloni said on Wednesday.
"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.
He made the comment during an address to Berlin's Humboldt University on Italy-Germany relations.
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 said on 31 January.
