European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen embarked on a pivotal visit to the Italian enclave of Lampedusa on Sunday, in response to the escalating influx of migrants. Italy, grappling with an unprecedented surge, received a promise of resolute action from von der Leyen, who unveiled a comprehensive 10-point EU action plan aimed at bolstering Italy’s capacity to address this mounting humanitarian challenge.
In a staggering revelation, the year 2023 has witnessed a staggering 126,000 migrants making landfall on Italy’s shores, a figure nearly doubling the count recorded at the same juncture in the preceding year. Amidst this deluge, the picturesque island of Lampedusa, with its indigenous populace dwarfed by the arrival of over 7,000 migrants in a single week, finds itself in a state of distress.
Accompanied by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, von der Leyen’s convoy en route to Lampedusa’s migrant reception facility encountered a brief roadblock, orchestrated by irate locals protesting the island’s overwhelming burden.
Ms. Meloni, in her attempt to placate the demonstrators, affirmed, “We’re working on it… we are doing our best.”
Post their visit to the reception center, Ms. von der Leyen, who is anticipated to seek a second term once her current mandate concludes, unveiled a meticulously crafted 10-point “action plan” to alleviate the mounting strain on Italy’s shores, where the majority of migrants disembark after perilous journeys across North Africa’s tumultuous waters.
“Irregular migration is a European challenge and it needs a European response, we are in this together,” asserted von der Leyen during a joint press conference with Ms. Meloni. In fluent Italian, she added, “You can count on the EU.”
The comprehensive plan encompasses the utilization of the EU’s external borders agency, Frontex, to not only identify incoming migrants but also facilitate the repatriation of those ineligible for asylum. Furthermore, Frontex will escalate its sea and aerial surveillance of migrant vessels, actively participating in the crackdown against human traffickers.
Ms. von der Leyen confirmed that she had engaged with several EU leaders regarding this strategic blueprint and expressed her confidence in their support. She pledged to expedite the supply of crucial equipment to the Tunisian coastguard, the primary departure point for sea-bound migrants, and accelerate the disbursement of funds to Tunisia pursuant to a pact established in July, aimed at mitigating migration pressures.
In addition to these measures, Ms. von der Leyen committed to enhancing legal avenues for migrants, underlining, “the better we are with legal migration, the stricter we can be with irregular migration.” She also affirmed an unwavering commitment to combatting human traffickers.
The escalating tide of migrant crossings poses a formidable political conundrum for Ms. Meloni, who assumed office in October of the preceding year and has ardently championed the cause of staunchly opposing illegal immigration. On Sunday, she reiterated her conviction that the optimal approach involves preventing individuals from embarking on treacherous journeys to Europe, rather than redistributing migrants across the European Union.
In a scheduled Cabinet meeting on Monday, Ms. Meloni’s government will deliberate stringent measures, encompassing the establishment of novel detention and repatriation facilities, along with extensions to the maximum permissible detention periods for migrants.
By Reuters