Premier Giorgia Meloni said Sunday
that greater involvement of the United Nations in facing the
migrant emergency is "absolutely necessary" as she visited
Lampedusa with European Commission President Ursula von der
Leyen.
Both Meloni and von der Leyen will take part in the UN General
Assembly in new York this week.
Meloni also thanked the people of Lampedusa for the way they
have responded to the arrival of large numbers of migrants every
day.
There were moments of tension earlier on Sunday when a group
local people staged a protest that blocked the way of the convoy
taking Meloni and von der Leyen from the island's airport to its
migrant hotspot.
Talks calmed the situation and the locals to cleared the road.
"I thank the people of Lampedusa, with whom we spoke this
morning," Meloni said.
"They have always faced up to a difficult situation.
"We keep meeting responsible, very nice people. I was pleased to
meet them, to talk to them.
"We are committed to making conditions on the island better. We
have already done this with 45 million euros (in funding) to
help them cope with the difficulties. I want to thank them for
welcoming us at this difficult time".
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