While the controversy over the political and practical management of the landings continues, 38 migrants from the Ivory Coast, Guinea and Mali arrived on Lampedusa at dawn . On a 7-metre small boat they had left from Sfax in Tunisia, and were intercepted by the CP319 patrol boat of the Captaincy. The group was transhipped and the vessel left adrift.
After an initial health triage at the Favarolo pier, they were taken to the Imbriacola district hotspot where there are 1,082 guests. In recent days it had reached over 1,500 admissions. Yesterday, 127 migrants arrived in Lampedusa with 5 different boats.
On this issue, underlined Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani today, “we posed a political problem, we didn't want to create any controversy. There was a disproportionate reaction on France's part , also due to their internal political issues. We want stronger European action , because the seven thousand kilometers of Italian coast are the southern border of Europe. Even Manfred Weber, the president of the EPP, agreed with us".
Tajani also, again in the interview with Corriere, underlines the need for a "shared choice on relocation", and to block landings: "When you take traffickers' boats, the engine is destroyed - adds the minister -. We need a true European Marshall Plan for Africa and agreements with Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Niger and other Sahel countries. In 2050 there will be almost three billion Africans. The problem must be solved upstream by tackling climate change, disease, poverty, wars, terrorism".
Italy, he continues, is not isolated: “In Europe, Germany and Luxembourg will respect the agreements, like us. And Greece, Malta and Cyprus are also in solidarity, having signed a joint declaration with Italy by the interior ministers because they have the same problem".
However, it is essential “ to defend Italy's reasons . The principle that NGOs agree and take migrants on board cannot pass". In this regard, Italy asks "that the EU Commission draw up a code of conduct for NGOs".
Recognizing the role of non-governmental organizations, the German ambassador in Italy wrote on Twitter: “In 2022 there are already over 1300 people missing in the Mediterranean. 12% of the survivors were rescued by NGOs . They save lives where help from states is lacking – concludes Viktor Elbling -. Their humanitarian commitment deserves our recognition and our support".
(Unioneonline/ss)