“There is constant reference to European solidarity but, until now, Italy has faced this whole problem alone and our reception system is in great difficulty,” asserted the Italian Foreign Minister.
The feud between Italy and France is growing over the 231 migrants on board the Ocean Viking ship which will finally dock tomorrow, Friday. in the port of Toulon in the south of Franceafter the refusal of the Italian authorities to disembark the migrants on Italian soil.
THE Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani characterized “disproportionate” the reaction of France in the Italian government’s decision not to grant a safe harbor to the Ocean Viking.
“We raised a political problem, which is about increasing immigration. Ninety thousand have arrived in Italy, there is a detailed Frontex report which refers to NGO agreements with ships sailing from Africa,” said the Italian Foreign Minister.
“This Mondaylet’s raise the matter in Brussels, in the Foreign Affairs Council, because a European solution is needed. A solution to be implemented in Africa, preventing the departure of the vessels, confiscating them and destroying their engines”, added the head of Italian diplomacy.
From his side the Italian Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piandendozzi, he added: “France’s reaction, regarding the request to accommodate 234 immigrants – at a time when Italy, this year alone, welcomed ninety thousand – is incomprehensible. There is constant reference to European solidarity but, until now, Italy has faced this whole problem alone and our reception system is in great difficulty.” He considered “absolutely insufficient” the number of relocations that have taken place within the European Union.
In protest, France decided to suspend “with immediate effect” the reception, as planned this summer, of 3,500 refugees now in Italy.
“We welcome this vessel exceptionally, given the fifteen-day wait at sea that the Italian authorities forced those on board to endure,” the minister clarified after the end of the cabinet meeting. He added that those on board who do not meet the criteria for asylum seekers “will be returned immediately”.
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