In an interview with Euronews’ morning show Europe Today, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said her institution is not opposed to closer EU integration as Mario Draghi called for a ‘pragmatic’ federation.

“We have never been against member states going further,” Metsola told Euronews’ Europe Today morning show on Friday, commenting on discussions about further integration at the previous day’s EU leaders’ retreat.

EU leaders met informally on Thursday at Alden Biesen castle in Belgium to discuss competitiveness, joined by former Italian Prime Ministers Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, who have both published influential reports on European economic reform.

“We have had it with the Schengen area, we have seen it with the euro, and in different areas,” Metsola said. “This is not an obstacle or a shortcut to unity, rather, it’s a pathway to unity.”