Deputy Premier Antonio Tajani called for the intervention of the United Nations in response to the migratory pressure from Africa, today.
There is a significant increase in the arrival of migrants and refugees by sea to Italy. “We must not underestimate what is happening in Africa, we will also talk about it at the United Nations,” said Tajani.
“During our mission, we absolutely must ask for a UN presence because the situation in Africa is not (just) explosive, it has already exploded,” he added.
“Measures are needed to stop migratory flows,” continued Tajani.
“We need to move forward with repatriations” of people who do not have the right to remain in Europe. “Europe cannot pretend that nothing is happening, and I am convinced that France will understand our problems,” added Tajani. He also announced missions to Paris and Berlin “as soon as I return from the United States”.
French President Emmanuel Macron today said there is a “duty of European solidarity” on Lampedusa. He added “decisions will be taken with Italy”.
EC delegation on Lampedusa
A European Commission delegation is on a mission in Lampedusa, European sources told ANSA on Friday. They are reportedly on the ground to observe the situation first-hand and decide on the next steps.
Earlier, Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said “Italy has our full political support”. She also said the EU executive is “working with Rome from a financial and operational point of view”. This follows a massive surge in migrants and refugees arriving on the tiny Sicilian island.
On Germany’s decision to suspend the transfer of asylum seekers from Italy under the EU’s voluntary solidarity mechanism, Hipper said, “We need solidarity, and we count on all member states”.
“We need to cooperate closely, we need more solidarity,” she insisted.
