Meloni spoke with reporters after a meeting with her Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez in Rome.

“The fact that Europe is looking more carefully at this issue is an important step,” she said.

“But we are in agreement that (at the next European Council meeting) in June the Commission needs to take stock of concrete initiatives, starting from funding and identifying structural solutions with the countries of North Africa.”

On Tuesday evening, top government officials met at Palazzo Chigi to discuss the issue of migration, focusing on how to provide assistance to Tunisia.

Italy has been calling on the International Monetary Fund to release the first tranche of a maxi loan to the Tunisian government.

Tunisia is the country of departure for many of the migrants and refugees who have arrived in Italy by sea in recent weeks and is facing a major economic and social crisis.

“The priority is action to help this friendly nation at a time of difficulty,” said the sources present at the meeting, also confirming that the issue of funding was discussed.

“Despite the difficult context, progress on Tunisia has been made by both the United States and the European Union, thanks also to the commitment of Italy,” the sources concluded.

Tunisia's Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar is expected to meet with his Italian counterpart Tajani in Rome shortly.

ANSA