EU to take action to stop illegal immigration in Italy
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen visited a migrant reception centre on the Italian island of Lampedusa on Friday, after the country's prime minister called for EU help. Over 8,000 migrants have arrived on the island in the past three days. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says Italy is under "unsustainable pressure," according to BBC News.
Von der Leyen acknowledged that the issue is "a European challenge and requires a European response." She also praised the residents of Lampedusa for the support they have provided to migrants, who have arrived on the island "simply because of its location," the European Commission president added.
She pledged to increase support for the transfer of migrants from Lampedusa, as well as to intensify efforts against human traffickers who have facilitated dangerous and illegal journeys.
"The future of Europe depends on its ability to address the epochal challenges of our time, and the challenge of illegal immigration is certainly one of them," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remarked.
In this context, Meloni is calling for the immediate implementation of an agreement with Tunisia. The North African country has become the main departure point for African migrants trying to reach Europe.
Nearly 126,000 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year, which is about double the number recorded in the same period in 2022.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
