“On migration, Tunisia, flexibility in the use of funds as far as economic matters are concerned, the first steps towards (creating) a European sovereign fund these are Italian positions,” she told reporters on the first day of the summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday.
Meloni also said “the extra 12 billion” euros announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for migration as part of the budget review “is a good start”.
“It is important to understand that in order to resolve this issue, money is needed for spending not only on security [but also on] cooperation with third countries”, the prime minister said, adding this is a “strategic point”.
Meloni’s government has made the so-called ‘external dimension’ of migration – relationships with third countries such as Tunisia and Libya for the management of migration flows to Europe – a pillar of its migration policy and has pushed for a similar approach to be taken at European level, too.
On rising interest rates and the impact on mortgage payments, Meloni said “it is a sensitive issue” and that the government needs “to do more” and expressed concerns over the recent decision by the European Central Bank (ECB) to raise interest rates in July.
“Especially in consideration of the choices that are being made,” she added, referring to the recent decision by the European Central Bank (ECB) to raise interest rates again in July – a move that has been strongly criticised in Italy, including by Meloni herself in her communication to parliament on the eve of the European Council in Brussels.
ANSA
