Ciampi warns European youth of dangers

Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi warned Europe's youth yesterday of the danger of returning to the continent's past divisions after the rejection of the European Union's constitution.

His address to the European Parliament was disrupted by three right-wing Italian deputies from the government coalition Northern League, who were ejected from the chamber after unfurling regionalist banners and chanting slogans.

The 84-year-old Mr Ciampi, a former central banker and Prime Minister who stands down next May, won a standing ovation after declaring he was confident that the EU was strong enough to withstand the referendum setbacks in France and the Netherlands.

But he said: "In distant years, as a student at university in Italy and Germany, I had the opportunity to see how thoughtless countries were as they rushed headlong into World War II, killing off an entire generation.

"Half-way through the last century, wise, great men decided on a common project that could not be destroyed. But we do have to be careful, as guardians of that project, to warn young people of new dangers that are emerging."

The Northern League deputies, who advocate self-rule for an area of northern Italy they call "Padania", waved green starred flags and chanted "Independence for Padania" when Mr Ciampi praised the euro single currency, which they oppose.

Parliament President Josep Borrell ordered ushers to remove the lawmakers Mario Borghezio, Matteo Salvini and Francesco Speroni over the incident.

The Northern League is a junior partner in Italy's ruling centre-right coalition and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi quickly condemned the protest and affirmed his "high regard" for Mr Ciampi, a popular stateman.

Former European Commission President Romano Prodi, who now leads Italy's centre-left opposition, called for the League's ministers to resign. "It is a disgraceful act which offends the whole of Italy," he said.

Two League ministers recently called for the Italian lira to be restored alongside the euro, which they say has been a disaster for the country.

"The euro is the most advanced sign of the determination of the peoples of Europe to bring their monetary policy together.

"It is an example of us moving towards political integration," Mr Ciampi declared.

The former Finance Minister, who helped prepare Italy to join the euro, called for closer coordination of national budget policies in the eurozone, and greater European common spending on public infrastructure projects, research and innovation.