'Difficult to involve EU partners on migration' - Mattarella

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 19 - So far "it has been difficult to effectively involve EU partners" in tackling migration to Europe, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella said on Friday.
    It is "indispensable to arrive at a comprehensive European policy on the matter," added Mattarella during talks at the Quirinale Palace with Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar.
    Slovenia is on the Balkan route for refugees and migrants transiting from Turkey and Greece to northern Europe, and many cross into Italy via their common border. The president of the republic also agreed to support the entry of the Western Balkan countries into the European Union, also to give greater stability to the region.
    This is "a useful political investment and a necessary historical choice," said Mattarella, describing the decision to slow down the accession process as a "serious mistake". During the talks the two heads of state also agreed on the need for the European Union to address the climate crisis, with special attention to the Mediterranean, and addressed the issue of the protection of linguistic minorities, which for Mattarella are "a garrison of friendship and enrichment between peoples".
    The Italian president also stressed the "exceptionally intense" relationship between the two countries. (ANSA).