Italy Prioritizes Migration Reform and Security in Talks with New European Council President
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke with incoming European Council President António Costa on Tuesday, extending her well wishes and outlining Italy’s priorities ahead of the December European Council meeting.
Migration was at the forefront of the conversation, with Meloni emphasizing the need for a strengthened legal framework to manage asylum requests and returns of irregular migrants. She pointed to the European Council’s October indication for an urgent legislative initiative on returns as a key development.
“The European Union must be able to count on an increasingly effective legal framework to manage asylum requests and return procedures for irregular migrants in an orderly manner,” Meloni stated.
She also highlighted the importance of developing equal partnerships between the EU and countries of origin and transit for migrants. This approach, Meloni argued, should be modeled on Italy’s Mattei Plan and prioritize efforts to combat human trafficking.
Further bolstering security across the continent was another key point of discussion. Meloni expressed her appreciation for Costa’s recent announcement of an extraordinary European Council meeting in February dedicated to addressing the EU’s current security challenges.
Both leaders agreed to maintain close communication and collaboration on all key issues impacting the EU agenda.
What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of a stronger EU legal framework on migration, specifically regarding the returns of irregular migrants?
**Interviewer:** Prime Minister Meloni clearly emphasized the need for a stronger EU framework on migration, particularly regarding returns of irregular migrants. Do you think a more robust legal framework will actually address the root causes of migration, or is this simply a band-aid solution?
