Italian FM says Paris, Rome to work together to deal with growing irregular migration problem

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Italy's Foreign Minister announced that Paris and Rome will work together to deal with the growing irregular migration problem to Europe, especially via Italy, the Italian press reported on Monday evening.

"Italy appreciates the remarks by French President Emmanual Macron and your (French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna) words about cooperation on immigration," Antonio Tajani said during a press briefing with his French counterpart following the meeting in Paris, according to state-run ANSA news agency.

Noting that the migrant flow to Italy via the Mediterranean presents a serious challenge to his country, he said, "The migration issue must be tackled at the European level and given the instability in Africa, we believe that the UN must also intervene through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UNHCR."

"Together with France, we can contribute to a European solution," he added.

The number of migrants landed in Italy so far this year has reached over 127,000 – more than double that of the same period in 2022. The majority have set off from Tunisia, where in July, Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a controversial deal to stem irregular migration.