Meloni tells Med9 states to be 'fast and united' on migrants

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 27 - The nine Mediterranean and Southern European Union member states that form the EUMed9 need to work on a common and coherent position to make action on migrants more effective, Premier Giorgia Meloni has allegedly said in a letter to Italy's partners in the group ahead of a summit in Malta on Friday, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday.
    Meloni also reportedly told the other EUMed9 states that it is important to insist on the rapid implementation of the comprehensive approach to migration agreed at the special European Council meeting in Brussels in February.
    On that occasion, the Council recognised that migration is a European issue requiring a European solution and agreed to focus on increased external action, the effective control of external borders, and internal aspects of migration management.
    The sources said the letter also makes reference to the recent Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Tunisia on measures to curb irregular migration from the north African country in exchange for financial support.
    Meloni reportedly sent the letter to EUMed9 member states Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain, as well as to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel. (ANSA).