The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented an EU ten-point action plan to tackle the migration crisis during a visit to Lampedusa on Sunday. “Irregular migration is a European challenge and we must solve it at European level,” Von der Leyen said in a press statement with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
According to the plan, the EU border protection agency Frontex should more actively support Italy in registering migrants. The EU also wants to conduct more negotiations with the countries of origin of migrants to halt migration flows.
The return of migrants must be made easier
The negotiations will be led by European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, Von der Leyen explained. The return of migrants to their country of origin if they have no right to stay in Europe should be made easier. This must also be done by harmonizing legislation in EU countries.
The entire press conference to watch:
The EU also wants to intensify the fight against human trafficking with the help of Tunisia. In addition, air surveillance in the Mediterranean must be strengthened. The equipment of the Tunisian coast guard will be expanded. Italy should also be supported in destroying the migrant boats. In addition, Europe wants to facilitate legal immigration routes by establishing humanitarian corridors.
Italian model as a role model?
In this regard, the EU aims to promote greater cooperation with the International Migrants Organization (IOM) and with the UN refugee agency UNHCR.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for quick migration agreements with the North African states on the island of Lampedusa. The Italian-Tunisian migration agreement must be quickly transferred to other North African states. The right-wing populist politician warned that all EU states must work together. Simply distributing migrants and refugees among EU countries does not solve the problem.
Lampedusa is currently visited by numerous smuggling boats from North Africa. This week alone, more than 11,000 migrants arrived on the island, where 6,300 people live. Since the beginning of the year, 127,000 people have reached the island after sea voyages across the Mediterranean.
Source: Krone
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