by Alessandra Cardone
ROME, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi met with German and French leaders near Naples on Monday, in a mini-summit aimed to revamp the European Union (EU) after the Brexit vote.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande were hosted in Ventotene island off Naples.
A joint press conference was later held on board of Italian navy's aircraft carrier Garibaldi, which serves as a flagship in the EU's migrant rescue mission deployed in the Mediterranean.
"Many believed Europe was over after the Brexit. Yet, it is not so," Renzi said, "We respect the choice of the Britons, but we want to write our future."
Further European integration should rest on common defence, shared intelligence and strong measures to revamp economic growth, Renzi added.
"We have to address these top priorities, along with (a plan of) high quality investments combined with structural reforms," the Italian prime minister said.
The three leaders discussed other major challenges, including Europe's migration crisis and youth unemployment.
The leaders briefly met in Berlin on June 27, for a first show of unity of the EU's three founding members soon after the shocking results of the British referendum.
On Monday, their talks also focused on terror threats, and the ways to improve security at the bloc's internal and external borders.
"The idea of a European defense takes on an absolute crucial relevance now, since we are facing internal threats and wars in countries near us," Hollande told the press conference.
"We are not here to take decisions for others (EU members), but to prove we are ready to take on our responsibilities, as EU's three largest countries, in order to bring Europe towards a future of greater cohesion and unity," the French president added.
The talks in Ventotene island also aimed at preparing the ground for an informal EU summit scheduled in Bratislava for Sept. 16, in which all EU leaders but the British prime minister will discuss the effects of the Brexit vote on the economy.
"Further growth and development is another big issue (to tackle), since we know Europe is not a most competitive place in all of its contexts," Merkel stressed.
"We will have to address this in Bratislava, and also discuss the future of our youth, who must have the chance to play a role, and bring European values around the world," the German chancellor added.
