Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister
Antonio Tajani on Friday announced a new hard line on visa
concessions by Italian embassies to reduce the alleged risk of
criminals including terrorists infiltrating among migrants
heading for Italy.
"It is well known that today there is a risk of criminals and
terrorists infiltrating among migrants," said Tajani at the
first Lazio Region Security Forum.
"That is why I have been forced to take a hard line even on visa
concessions, because today there is a risk of criminals
infiltrating among migrants," he continued.
"I have reprimanded some embassy officials who have been
granting visas too lightheartedly. This will never happen again
as long as I am Foreign Minister," said Tajani.
On Wednesday Tajani told parliament during question time that as
of August he had ordered inspections at embassies in Pakistan,
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo and
Republic of the Congo, and that further inspections were planned
in Latin America in due course.
"It is crucial to strengthen the capacity of our offices to
intercept fraudulent visa applications and prevent corruption,"
he told lawmakers.
"The government's priority objective is to combat all forms of
irregular entry into Italy," concluded Tajani.
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