Migration crisis – focus point Lampedusa: EU boss travels to Italy

If necessary, the navy should be deployed, the right-wing politician said in a video message on Friday evening. According to Meloni’s idea, people in North Africa should be prevented from leaving the sea. Such a mission must begin ‘immediately’.

The city council declared a state of emergency
Since Monday, several thousand boat migrants have reached the small island between Sicily and North Africa. More than 5,000 people arrived on Tuesday alone – more than ever before in one day. The original shelter was at times extremely overcrowded, with approximately 6,800 people. Due to its proximity to the Tunisian coastal city of Sfax, Lampedusa has been one of the hotspots of migration to Europe for years. The island’s municipal council declared a state of emergency on Wednesday due to the tense situation.

Meloni invited Von der Leyen to Lampedusa “to become personally aware of the seriousness of the situation we find ourselves in.” On Saturday, a spokesperson for Von der Leyens told the German Press Agency on the sidelines of an event in Hanau that the commission head would first travel to Rome on Saturday and from there with Meloni to Lampedusa on Saturday or Sunday.

Foreign Minister vents his anger
Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced measures to limit illegal migration: “We will set up places where those who have entered our country illegally will be held to check, in accordance with EU regulations, whether they have have the right to stay. or not. They certainly won’t be able to walk through Italy like they used to.”

Due to its proximity to the Tunisian coastal city of Sfax, Lampedusa has been one of the main routes to Europe for years (see graph below).

Meloni sees that the EU has a duty to support Italy. She therefore asked the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to put the migration issue on the agenda of the EU summit in October. The head of government emphasized the importance of the planned agreement with Tunisia. According to them, the agreed financial resources must be transferred as quickly as possible to speed up the deal.

Millions in financial aid for Tunisia
Tunisia is one of the most important transit countries for migrants on their way to Europe. The European Commission is currently planning a migration agreement with the North African country. In return for millions in financial aid, Tunisia should take greater action against smugglers and illegal crossings to reduce the number of people leaving for Europe.

Meloni said the Mediterranean country and Europe cannot accommodate the huge number of people. “The migration pressure that Italy has been experiencing since the beginning of this year is unsustainable,” said the right-wing politician. She plans to take “extraordinary measures.” The maximum duration of detention in deportation detention centers should be extended. Meloni announced that the measures must be decided on in a cabinet meeting on Monday.

Italy has been ruled by a right-wing alliance since October 2022. The ultra-right Meloni promised to limit migration. So far she has not been able to fulfill her election promise. According to figures from the Ministry of the Interior in Rome, more migrants have come to Italy by sea since the beginning of the year than in all of 2022. On September 15, there were about 127,200 people (as of September 15) – about 66,200 in the same period last year .