Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has asked EU partners for help due to the worsening situation with the influx of migrants, particularly on the island of Lampedusa.
Mrs Meloni stated this at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during their visit to Lampedusa.
The Italian prime minister called on EU partners to do more to confront the challenge of the migration crisis. According to Meloni, Italy is doing everything possible.
“What is at stake is the future that Europe wants for itself because the future of Europe depends on its ability to face serious challenges,” Meloni said.
Earlier, it was reported that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced a ten-step plan to resolve the migration crisis during her visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa.
The European Commission plans to strengthen cooperation between Italy and EU asylum and border protection agencies to accept, register and resettle newly arrived migrants. The EU will also encourage the resettlement of migrants from Lampedusa to other member states.
Before this, Meloni promised to take “extraordinary measures” to deal with the influx of migrants, including reiterating her call for a naval blockade of North Africa.
Lampedusa is currently experiencing an aggravation of the situation with migrants. The island’s authorities asked Rome and Brussels for help after thousands of migrants arrived.
Lampedusa is located 140-280 kilometres from the African coast, which has made it a popular destination for migrants travelling to Europe via the Mediterranean.
In mid-April, Italy declared a state of emergency due to a sharp increase in migrants arriving across the Mediterranean.
