Europe needs new measures to tackle coronavirus threat: Italian president

Europe must adopt new measures to confront the threat posed by the coronavirus, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on Friday, telling European Union leaders they had to react before it was too late.Mattarella’s message, made in a rare, televised address to the nation, came after EU leaders had failed to agree on a common approach to dealing with the escalating economic fallout from the pandemic.“New initiatives are vital to overcome old ways of thinking that are now out of touch with the reality of the dramatic conditions facing our continent,” Mattarella said.“I hope everyone fully understands the seriousness of the threat faced by Europe before it is too late.”Mattarella, who normally steers clear of controversy, praised the European Central Bank and European Commission for their response to the crisis, saying they had made “important and positive financial and economic decisions”.