The head of Italian diplomacy, Antonio Tajani, expressed this Monday his satisfaction with French “solidarity” on the issue of immigrants and criticized Germany, accused of financing NGOs that help immigrants in his country.
“We must face the problems together, which are European,” declared Antonio Tajani, received on Monday in Paris by his French counterpart, Catherine Colonna.
“Italy especially appreciated Emmanuel Macron’s comments on collaboration on immigration,” he said during a joint press conference with Catherine Colonna. Emmanuel Macron insisted last week on the “duty of European solidarity” towards Rome, in the face of massive arrivals of immigrants.
“I’m waiting for explanations”
The number of arrivals to Italy on boats from North Africa has increased, with more than 130,000 migrants registered so far this year, compared to 70,000 in the same period in 2022. “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 that help irregular migrants in her country. Antonio Tajani and Catherine Colonna insisted on the need for a “European” response to the migration issue.
“It is not about fighting against immigrants”
“We need greater cooperation from the countries of origin, from the transit countries, which must make commitments and adhere to our aid,” Catherine Colonna also declared. 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 ease the pressure.
Antonio Tajani welcomed the agreement signed by the EU to support Tunisia, a country widely criticized for its way of treating immigrants. “It’s not about fighting immigrants, it’s about fighting criminals who exploit the desperation of these people,” he said. Emmanuel Macron is expected to arrive in Rome this Tuesday to pay tribute to former president Giorgio Napolitano, who died on Friday at the age of 98.
Source: BFM TV
