Tajani announces end to 'lighthearted' visa concessions

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 27 - Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday announced a new hard line on visa concessions by Italian embassies to reduce the alleged risk of criminals including terrorists infiltrating among migrants heading for Italy.
    "It is well known that today there is a risk of criminals and terrorists infiltrating among migrants," said Tajani at the first Lazio Region Security Forum.
    "That is why I have been forced to take a hard line even on visa concessions, because today there is a risk of criminals infiltrating among migrants," he continued.
    "I have reprimanded some embassy officials who have been granting visas too lightheartedly. This will never happen again as long as I am Foreign Minister," said Tajani.
    On Wednesday Tajani told parliament during question time that as of August he had ordered inspections at embassies in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of the Congo, and that further inspections were planned in Latin America in due course.
    "It is crucial to strengthen the capacity of our offices to intercept fraudulent visa applications and prevent corruption," he told lawmakers.
    "The government's priority objective is to combat all forms of irregular entry into Italy," concluded Tajani. (ANSA).