The government in Rome has reached an
accord with the Sicilian government on the migrant crisis on the
island of Lampedusa but Sicilian Governor Nello Musumeci said he
is "only half-satisfied".
The migrant hotspot on the island south of Sicily, closer to
Africa than to Italy, is 10 times over capacity.
Premier Giuseppe Conte met Musumeci and Lampedusa Mayor Totò
Martello on the crisis in Rome on Wednesday night.
At the immigration summit, Conte promised Musumeci that the
island's hotspot would be emptied by the end of the week.
The premier also promised economic aid to Lampedusa's citizens.
Musumeci has raised COVID fears from the migrant crisis and
ordered all of Sicily's hotspots closed - an ordinance that was
quashed by a court after a central government appeal.
After Wednesday night's summit, Musumeci said he was "only
half-satisfied" because, he said, "we are faced with many
pledges but no certainty".
The governor also highlighted that "the resettlement of migrants
in Europe is a problem that does not involve the regions".
Musumeci also said he had not engaged in "horse trading" over
taxes.
Migrants are being diverted from Lampedusa to Palermo and other
Sicilian ports, where they are being put onto quarantine ships.
British street artist Banksy is operating one of the NGO rescue
vessels.
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