more funds for more intense border controls – Corriere.it

BRUSSELS – State aid for targeted, temporary and proportionate support in strategic sectors for the green transition messthe at risk fromTHEInflation Reduction Act American, flexible use of existing funds, sovereignty fund before summer. These are the measures identified by the European Council to defend the competitiveness of EU industry, which concluded on Thursday night, dragged down by a messy discussion on immigration.

More border controls

A fact that emerged clearly: all the leaders agree that it is necessary to reduce irregular flows through greater control of the external borders. The change of pace is linked to the urgency in which almost all EU countries find themselves: the big difference with the past. The war in Ukraine with its flow of refugees, the Balkan and Mediterranean routes they put the Twenty-seven in difficulty, albeit for different reasons. Now there will also be the effects of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The solution can only be common, no more ideological conflicts but pragmatism. The conclusions of the European Council call for the strengthening and acceleration of immediate operational measures. All have achieved something, paving the way for progress in discussions for an agreement on the reform of the Pact for Migration and Asylum, which is expected to arrive by 2024.

More European funds

For Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni explained at the press conference, the recognition of migration as a European challenge that requires a European response is significant and she reiterated that redistribution has never been my priority. a lark mirror. The importance of strengthening of cooperation with countries of origin and transit nothing new nor the need for a plan for Africa, as well as the intensification of repatriations. But now there is an urgency and the search for shared operational solutions. The Member States agreed in wanting more EU funds to build infrastructure for the control of external borders (even walls although the Commission remains against it and still several capitals). Then there is the recognition, relevant for Italy, of the specificity of maritime borders and the openness to discussing a code of conduct for NGOs, all expressed in a neutral language so as not to offend the different sensitivities.

The pilot projects of Bulgaria and Romania

As a result, the Home Affairs Council will discuss the implementation of the Dublin Roadmap as well as the effective engagement of the EU at the external borders, including as regards the operations of private entities (ie NGOs). Furthermore, the European Council calls on the Commission to immediately mobilize substantial EU funds and means to support member states in strengthening border protection capacities and infrastructures and financing the pilot projects of Bulgaria and Romania. The expression for the Austrian Chancellor Nehammer of unprecedented clarity.