EU in touch with Meloni on Lampedusa, ready to help

Published 1 year, 3 months ago

The European Union is ready to support Italy in managing the situation created by the record number of migrants and refugees arriving by sea on Lampedusa, an EU Commission spokesperson said on Thursday.

Migrants waiting to be processed on the island of Lampedusa. (Photo: ANSA)

The current situation “underlines once again the challenges we are facing and the efforts we have to make,” said spokeswoman Anitta Hipper in Brussels.

“On Lampedusa, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in contact with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and this morning Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson spoke to [Interior] Minister Piantedosi to assess the situation and see how the EU can provide aid,” she continued.

“We are ready to support Italy.”

On Wednesday, 2154 migrants and refugees landed on Lampedusa, adding to the pressure caused by an unprecedented number of arrivals the previous day.

Consequently, on Thursday morning there were nearly 7000 people in the migrant hotspot, although 3750 people were due to be transferred off the island during the day.

ANSA

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