Faced with massive arrivals of migrants, Rome delivers good and bad points to its European partners on this issue. The head of Italian diplomacy Antonio Tajani on Monday expressed satisfaction with French “solidarity” on the issue of migrants, and criticized Germany, accused of financing NGOs helping migrants in his country.
“We must face the problems together, which are European,” declared Antonio Tajani received in Paris by his counterpart Catherine Colonna. The number of arrivals in Italy on boats from North Africa has increased, with more than 130,000 migrants registered so far this year, compared to 70,000 for the same period in 2022.
Macron insists on the “duty of European solidarity”
“Italy particularly appreciated Mr. Macron’s comments regarding collaboration on immigration,” he said during a joint press conference with Catherine Colonna. The head of state insisted last week on the “duty of European solidarity” towards Rome.
“As for Germany, I will be in Berlin on Thursday,” and “I am waiting for explanations from the German government,” continued Antonio Tajani. The comments came as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote to Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday to complain about Germany’s funding of charities helping irregular migrants in her country.
Antonio Tajani and Catherine Colonna therefore insisted on the need for a “European” response to the migration question. “We need greater cooperation from countries of origin, countries of transit, who must make commitments, stick to our help,” the French minister further declared.
“It’s not about fighting migrants”
After 8,500 people arrived on the small island of Lampedusa in just three days earlier this month, Rome called on the European Union to do more to help relieve the pressure. Antonio Tajani also welcomed the agreement concluded by the EU to support Tunisia, a country widely criticized for its way of treating migrants. “It’s not about fighting migrants, it’s about fighting the criminals who exploit the desperation of these people,” he said.