Around ten thousand migrants have arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean since mid-September. The question of the influx of people arriving illegally in Europe was raised by the head of Italian diplomacy, visiting Paris this Monday, September 25, with his French counterpart. While relations have been rather tense between Paris and Rome in recent months, the two ministers have shown good understanding this time.
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Last June, Antonio Tajani canceled a visit to Paris after criticisms made by the French Minister of the Interior on the management of immigration by Rome. This Monday, the head of Italian diplomacy was there. And while the number of illegal arrivals in Italy has almost doubled this year, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, gave her support: “ We are in full solidarity with Italy in the face of the influx of migrants. The solution will largely involve strengthened European cooperation and we aim to have greater cooperation from the countries of origin, from the countries of transit, which must make commitments that they must keep with our help. »
Support already expressed in recent days by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, who insisted on “ duty of European solidarity » towards Rome, faced with massive arrivals of migrants. And Antonio Tajani expressed his appreciation of the French position: “ Migration flows represent a worrying problem. The desire to work together relaunched by President Macron is in line with our desire. Italy is ready to collaborate on the big migration issue; This certainly cannot be just an Italian problem, nor a French problem, nor a problem for a single state. »
Finding a European agreement
Antonio Tajani also welcomed the agreement concluded by the EU to support Tunisia, a country widely criticized for its way of treating migrants. “ It’s not about fighting migrants, it’s about fighting the criminals who exploit the desperation of these people “, did he declare.
►Also read : Faced with numerous arrivals of migrants, the island of Lampedusa tries to manage the emergency
But if the reconciliation between Paris and Rome is sealed, we still need to work towards European harmony. Italy does not hide its annoyance with Germany. The head of the Italian government made public a letter sent to the German chancellor on Monday. Georgia Meloni criticizes Berlin’s choice to subsidize two non-governmental organizations helping migrants. One helps welcome them in Italy, the other helps boats in distress in the Mediterranean.
The number of arrivals in Italy on boats from North Africa has increased, with more than 130,000 migrants registered so far this year, compared to 70,000 for the same period in 2022.
Read alsoEurope facing the migration crisis
(And with AFP)