Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani says that the standard landings of migrants in Lampedusa and the ongoing flow of migrants are worsening the situation in the coming months...
Tajani added in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that Italy, as stated by the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, needs to be helped at the continental level.
He stated that Europe alone is not enough to address such a massive problem, which concerns not only Africa but also reflects on the flow of refugees through the Balkans.
Tajani continued: Therefore, we involved the United Nations and the G20 and have worked to hold a major international conference that should kickstart a real process to stabilize the Sahel region, according to the Italian site "Decode 39".
Tajani emphasized that Italy is doing everything possible from a humanitarian perspective, pointing out that the ministries of defense, interior, and foreign affairs are working to address the emergency situation.
The Italian Foreign Minister considered the instability in the sub-Saharan region, which requires significant international mobilization, to be tragic, explaining that from those countries there is a push towards the north of the continent, especially towards Tunisia, to reach Italy, and then to other countries.
The Italian Foreign Minister stressed that receiving irregular migrants places a heavy burden on Italy as a whole and incurs enormous costs.
Tajani summoned the ambassadors of Guinea and Ivory Coast to the ministry, as hundreds of irregular migrants depart from these countries to Italy, while the minister called for a stricter standard to slow down departures and accept repatriation operations.
The Italian Foreign Minister continued: I am in constant contact with my counterparts in Algeria and Tunisia, who ensure cooperation.
He spoke about his intention to discuss the EU plan regarding Tunisia in New York during the meeting of European foreign ministers on Monday, noting that discussions are expected about the role of European institutions for the immediate implementation of the plan concerning Tunisia.
He talked about France and Germany closing their borders, where they have a secondary migration problem, but the fundamental issue requires immediate assistance and reception.
Tajani revealed the movement in two directions, the first with a hardline approach and efforts to stop smugglers and confiscate their boats, then to repatriate irregular migrants to their home countries if possible.
He clarified that the second direction is to increase quotas for receiving legal migrants, who are different from irregular migrants, warning against not implementing a real plan regarding Africa.