Meloni 'not disappointed' with Poland, Hungary over migrant deadlock

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 30 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said Friday that she was not disappointed with Poland and Hungary after their objections meant it was not possible to reach an agreement on the new EU pact on migration and asylum at the European Council.
    "I am never disappointed by those who defend their national interests," Meloni told reporters after the summit.
    "Their position does not regard the external dimension, which is the Italian priority and is the only way to address migration and getting everyone to agree".
    Warsaw and Budapest are opposed to making solidarity in the management of migrants and refugees obligatory, something which was part of the pact and which Italy and Greece have demanded, given the high number of migrants coming to their shores via sea.
    Under an agreement thrashed out by interior ministers earlier this month, each country would be responsible for a share of migrants and refugees arriving in the EU and those unwilling to receive them would have to pay around 20,000 euros for each person they chose not to accept.
    Meloni had a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and her Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban on the sidelines of the European Council summit earlier on Friday, but the talks apparently failed to break the deadlock caused by the objections the two leaders raised on Thursday.
    Sources said European Council President Charles Michel had asked Meloni to try to mediate. (ANSA).