«Now we need European solutions»- Corriere.it

The role play is working even if it doesn’t give solutions. “I appreciate that you wrote to me following the tragic shipwreck off the Calabrian coast.” Thus begins the response of the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen to the letter sent by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the shipwreck of migrants in Cutro. “I fully share your opinion – continues von der Leyen – according to which as Europeans, politicians and citizens we have a moral duty to act to avoid such tragedies”.

An answer that Palazzo Chigi liked. Yesterday in a note the government expressed “profound satisfaction with the words addressed to Italy and the action of the executive on the issue of migration by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen”. From her words “emerges full awareness of how there is a need for a concrete and immediate European response on the subject of migration” and above all “they correspond perfectly to the requests made in recent months by the Italian government to the European institutions”.

The President of the Commission in her letter explains that “this latest tragedy must serve as an invitation to redouble our determination to bring effective and lasting solutions”, which are identified in the new Pact for Migration and Asylum considered “essential if we want to break the cycle of piecemeal solutions that do not they bring sufficient progress.’ The pact was presented by the Commission in September 2021 and is still under negotiation, perhaps the agreement will arrive by the end of the year or in early 2024 but the game is in the hands of the capitals. Von der Leyen recalls that «migration is a complex reality», which «needs fundamental and global solutions. These can only be found when we act together» and he cites as an example «the millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war». He therefore reiterates that “migration is a European challenge that requires a European solution”. A “holistic” approach is needed: helping those in need of international protection, preventing irregular departures, fighting criminal trafficking networks, offering pathways for safe and legal migration, and repatriating those who do not have the right to stay”.

Then he recalled the “immediate” actions presented last February: cooperation with key partners in North Africa, with a special focus on Tunisia and Egypt; further support for Libya’s maritime border management and search and rescue capabilities; effort to provide those entitled to protection with secure channels of entry. Von der Leyen has promised “at least half a billion euros in funding for resettlement and humanitarian corridors until 2025, offering support for the resettlement of around 50,000 people” who need asylum and “priority to safe and legal ways from Libya and the Niger”. Finally, the relaunch of the European Contact Group for greater cooperation in search and rescue activities. Tomorrow there will be an internal affairs council in Brussels which will also discuss immigration but, an EU source explained yesterday, no decisions are expected even if “intense work is underway”. And at the European Council at the end of the month, von der Leyen will limit himself to taking stock of the situation. Waiting for the Member States to find an agreement.