Your current location:HOME >business >EU unveils 'remedy' for migrants 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 18:50:50 Source: Internet compilationEdit:business
Migrants embark on a ferry in Lampedusa Island, Italy, on Sunday. About 11,000 irregular migrants ar
Migrants embark on a ferry in Lampedusa Island, Italy, on Sunday. About 11,000 irregular migrants arrived in Lampedusa from Africa over the past week. VALERIA FERRARO / REUTERS
Experts question von der Leyen's plan to tackle crisis in Italy's island
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday unveiled a 10-point plan to help Italy deal with the migrant crisis on its Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, a plan that some observers regard as ineffective.
About 11,000 irregular migrants arrived in Lampedusa, located between Malta and Tunisia, from Africa over the past week, triggering a crisis on the tiny island, with a local population of only 6,000. The island's migrant reception center only has a capacity for 400 migrants, prompting local mayor Filippo Mannino to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday.
Von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson visited the island's migrant reception center, met the local community, and inspected the "boat graveyard" where irregular migrants' boats are stored.
"Migration is a European challenge that requires a European answer and solution," von der Leyen said.
"It is concrete actions that will bring change on the ground. It is only through solidarity and unity that we can achieve this. And you can count on the European Union.
"We will decide who comes to the European Union and under what circumstances, and not the smugglers and traffickers," said von der Leyen.
Some local residents held a protest against the irregular migrants who overwhelmed the island and caused tensions with locals.
"We are doing everything in our power," Meloni told the protesters. At a news conference later at the Lampedusa airport, she stressed that the "challenge of the massive flow of immigrants" must be addressed at a pan-European level.
'Huge mistake'
"If somebody here in Europe were to think that this crisis that we are tackling and facing could just be solved within Italian borders, then it would be a very big and huge mistake," she said.
"We cannot solve this problem by resettling migrants within EU borders. We must also address the external dimensions of the issue. The only way to stop illegal migration is to stop these illegal departures."
At the news conference, von der Leyen announced a 10-point plan to help Italy deal with the crisis.
They include increasing assistance to Italy in the procedures related to the arrival of migrants through the EU Agency for Asylum and EU border protection agency Frontex; supporting the transfer of migrants arriving in Lampedusa to other countries willing to accept them; boosting cooperation with African countries where the majority of the migrants come from, and raising the number of migrants to be sent back.
The plan also supports efforts to prevent human trafficking through partnerships with source or transit countries; to increase border patrols at sea and in the air; to disrupt human traffickers' logistical networks; to enhance cooperation with United Nations migration and refugee agencies for voluntary returns; and to implement migration agreements.
The EU signed a deal with Tunisia in July to help end illegal migration from North Africa, but the European Commission has yet to pay the 100 million euros ($106.6 million) promised in the deal.
Meloni on Friday vowed "extraordinary measures" to tackle the crisis, including calling for a naval blockade of North Africa, a call that von der Leyen did not mention on Sunday.
"She's got a plan … And it's got 10 points … And it's got 0 chance of achieving anything," Jonathan Eyal, associate director of London-based Royal United Services Institute for defense and security studies, said on X in response to von der Leyen's post on the social media platform on her plan.
"#Lampedusa — as expected, President @vonderleyen, spoke plenty but said nothing at all," Harris Samaras, an economist and chairman of Pytheas, an international investment banking organization, said on X.
College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at2024-05-21 18:44
Queensland mum stunned by angry neighbour's 'unreasonable' note about crying baby2024-05-21 18:09
Holocaust survivors join candlelight vigil for the National Holocaust Commemoration in London2024-05-21 17:38
As China and Iran hunt for dissidents in the US, the FBI is racing to counter the threat2024-05-21 17:34
‘The Blue Angels,’ filmed for IMAX, puts viewers in the ‘box’ with the elite flying squad2024-05-21 17:32
Jimenez homers to back Crochet as White Sox beat Cardinals 52024-05-21 17:28
Kendrick Lamar calls Drake a PEDOPHILE in new diss track as their war of words heats up2024-05-21 16:57
Police search for suspects after 7 wounded, 4 critically, in shooting in Long Beach, California2024-05-21 16:48
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI2024-05-21 16:43
Perth Stabbing: Teen shot dead by police was in deradicalization program2024-05-21 16:10
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs2024-05-21 18:49
Qantas agrees to pay $79 million in compensation and a fine for selling seats on canceled flights2024-05-21 18:44
Police quiz six ex2024-05-21 18:41
César Luis Menotti, coach who led Argentina to its first World Cup title, dies at 852024-05-21 18:08
Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse2024-05-21 17:49
I was 18 when I developed a niggling headache at work2024-05-21 17:26
César Luis Menotti, coach who led Argentina to its first World Cup title, dies at 852024-05-21 16:56
Javier Assad pitches 6 innings as Cubs blank Brewers 52024-05-21 16:52
Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension2024-05-21 16:21
Are you having enough sex? Our intimacy coach reveals eight ways to have more2024-05-21 16:04