17 March 2021

"Austria and Italy stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against the pandemic. With Austria's Federal Minister for the EU, Karoline Edstadler, I discussed the EU coordinated response to COVID-19, with major focus on vaccines and the 'Green Digital Certificate'. The proposal to introduce the certificate system – set forward by the Commission today – is part of the EU’s strategy to enable for safe and sustainable movement within EU borders. A lot of work will be required to ensure technical feasibility and, at the same time, personal data protection in compliance with the indications set out by the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante della Privacy). Relevant discussions are ongoing in Italy with our Minister for Digital Transition, Vittorio Colao." Vincenzo Amendola, Undersecretary for European Affairs, stated it after meeting his Austrian counterpart, Karoline Edstadler, at Palazzo Chigi.

Several topics were examined during the meeting, including the Conference on the Future of Europe, as well as migration, climate change and transport routes. With regard to the Brenner corridor, reference was made to the negotiations on the "Eurovignette Directive", and the intention to cooperate as closely as possible on such an important transit point for both Countries and for the European market was reaffirmed.