Sovereignism is against the national interests of Italy and the country should oppose it politically and diplomatically, Italy's prime minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Wednesday.
"To whoever is enthusiastic about sovereignism in Europe I say they are happy about something that goes against Italy's interests," Gentiloni told Italian lawmakers ahead of a European Union leaders summit.
"The multiplication of sealed borders is not an advantage for Italy and we should oppose these stances on the political and diplomatic fronts," he said.
"Parliament should share this position," Gentiloni stated.
The EU summit is being held in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.