In response to the recent influx of over 8,500 migrants arriving by boat within three days, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit the Italian island of Lampedusa this Sunday, accompanied by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This announcement comes after Meloni’s plea for assistance from Brussels, emphasizing the need for a fresh approach to the migrant issue.
Situated 145 kilometers off the coast of Tunisia, Lampedusa has become a focal point for the crisis. Meloni has urged for a naval blockade of North Africa to address the escalating situation, prompting an emergency meeting within Italy’s government.
Meloni has extended an invitation to the European Commission head to witness the conditions firsthand and advocated for the implementation of a new EU migration agreement with Tunisia. “Obviously, Italy and Europe cannot welcome this massive influx of people, especially when these migrant flows are being managed by unscrupulous traffickers,” she emphasized.
In Paris, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin convened a summit to coordinate responses among police, immigration officials, and regional government leaders. Meanwhile, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen held discussions in Italy with Matteo Salvini, leader of Meloni’s coalition partner, the League Party.
French far-right politician Marion Marechal, the niece of Marine Le Pen, expressed solidarity with Italy during her visit to Lampedusa. She stressed that Lampedusa and Italian borders are integral to all of Europe, advocating for a shift in EU policy to support the Italian government, which she believes is shouldering the crisis alone.