Premier Giorgia Meloni on Sunday
inaugurated a "dialogue of equals" on migration and development
based on converging interests between Europe and countries in
the broader Mediterranean area.
"What we are inaugurating today is above all a dialogue between
equals, based on mutual respect," said Meloni, opening an
international conference at the foreign ministry in Rome that
seeks to address irregular migration and promote growth.
"Between Europe and the enlarged Mediterranean there cannot be a
competitive or conflictual relationship, because in reality the
interests are much more convergent than we ourselves recognise,"
she added.
"Italy and Europe need immigration, but we cannot send the
signal that those who enter illegally will be rewarded. If, on
the one hand, we are open to letting people in but then do not
address what will become of them in our countries, that is not
solidarity," said Meloni.
"Mass irregular migration harms everyone except criminal
organisations, which use their strength to play with the lives
of the most fragile people," she continued, calling for "joint
efforts and more cooperation to fight the network of
traffickers".
Meloni said in tackling migration the partnership with countries
of origin "must be equal, predatory, multidimensional and
long-term".
"It must be based on respect and not on a paternalistic
approach, on solidarity, on respect for each other's
sovereignty, on shared responsibility for upholding legality,"
said the premier.
This, she insisted, "is the only serious way to strengthen our
bond, trust each other and foster the development and prosperity
of our peoples".
Before the conference Meloni met with Tunisian President Kais
Saied and other leaders, according to Palazzo Chigi sources.
"This is the beginning of a path,' the premier reportedly told
Saied.
"Tunisia and Italy have a common future," Saïed is said to have
replied.
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