Paris and Rome show their agreement on immigration, except for transfer to third countries
Paris and Rome welcomed his “effective cooperation” on immigration, but Michel Barnier expressed reservations about Italy’s controversial initiative to transfer migrants to third countries.
The Prime Minister, accompanied by the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, and, on the Italian side, two members of Giorgia Meloni’s Government that combines right and extreme right, Antonio Tajani (Foreign Affairs) and Matteo Piantedosi (Interior). The four men held a work meeting and then visited the police and customs cooperation center at the Ventimiglia border post (Italy), an emblematic place where immigrants cross.
“We are very happy with this symbol that we bring of concrete, effective and daily cooperation between France and Italy.declared Michel Barnier. what we do ourselves (…)We do it for ourselves, together, more effectively than everyone at home or each one for themselves. And we also do it for the EU. »
“We are defending Europe”added the head of Italian diplomacy, while, for the first time, immigrants detained in Italian waters arrived in Albania, just under a year after the signing of a highly controversial agreement between Rome and Tirana.
“I don’t think this idea can be transferred to France”Michel Barnier underlined, evoking “legal and institutional reasons”but committing to “cooperate even more with transit or exit countries”. The device was invalidated by a Roman court even as the French and Italian ministers met.
Back on the French side, in Menton, Michel Barnier was greeted by a dozen activists brandishing banners. “No to fascism”. “Retailleau, shame of France”one of them shouted. “They prefer to agree with far-right ideology rather than listen to those on the ground”I had criticized a little before
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