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.
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