Premier Giorgia Meloni on
Thursday took part in a meeting of countries interested in
"innovative" solutions to the issue of illegal migrant arrivals,
such as Italy's agreement to set up migrant centres in Albania,
on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels.
"On the margins of the European Council, the President of the
Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, together with the Danish
Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, and the Dutch Prime Minister,
Dick Schoof, held another informal meeting this morning with
some of the Member States that have the most interest in
innovative solutions for the management of migration, and in
particular the strengthening of the legal framework regarding
returns," the Italian premier's office said in a statement.
"In addition to Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and the European
Commission, the meeting was also attended by the leaders of
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Poland and
Sweden.
"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the
main areas of work indicated in the letter on migration dated 16
December, focusing on the proposal for a new legal framework for
returns which the Commission plans to present in the first
months of 2025.
"In addition to supporting a swift presentation and finalisation
of the new legislative proposal, President Meloni highlighted
the importance of innovative solutions in countering irregular
migration, especially to break the 'business model' of human
traffickers and, at the same time, allow reception efforts by
the European Union to be focused on those who have a genuine
right to international protection.
"The leaders' discussion focused on the need for an increasingly
clear and effective European regulatory framework, in particular
with a strengthening of the 'safe country of origin' and 'safe
third country' concepts in order to support innovative
solutions, starting with the Italy-Albania model and the
possible creation of 'returns hubs' in third countries. There
was also particular interest around the strengthening of
Europe's actions along migration routes with the UNHCR and IOM
regarding assisted voluntary returns.
"The leaders present expressed their appreciation both for
President von der Leyen's letter and for the operational focus
of the Conclusions on migration to be approved by today's
European Council meeting. They agreed to continue maintaining
close coordination with the aim of strengthening the European
Union's migration policy and making it more and more effective".
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