The challenge of immigration in the Mediterranean: the urgency of a European response
The massive arrival of migrants on the Italian island of Lampedusa is relaunching the debate on the management of illegal immigration in the Mediterranean. Faced with this exceptional situation, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented an emergency plan intended to help Italy cope with this record influx.
The 10-point aid plan aims to boost assistance to Italy from the European Union Agency for Asylum and the EU’s coast and border guard agency, Frontex . It also provides for the establishment of a voluntary solidarity mechanism between European countries to facilitate the transfer of migrants arriving in Lampedusa to other countries.
The European Commission also wants to intensify surveillance of the seas to prevent new mass arrivals. It intends to strengthen dialogue with emigration countries on this route, such as Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Burkina Faso, in order to facilitate the readmission of migrants who do not meet asylum conditions.
At the same time, agreements will be sought with countries of origin and transit to curb the number of departures. Tunisia, the main country of embarkation for migrants arriving in Lampedusa, will benefit from financial aid from the EU in order to reduce arrivals on Italian coasts.
The European Commission also intends to strengthen awareness campaigns to discourage Mediterranean crossings. She wishes to promote legal immigration alternatives and humanitarian admission.
This announcement echoes criticism of the lack of solidarity from certain European countries towards Italy, which has already welcomed nearly 130,000 migrants since the start of the year. The objective is to respond in a collective and coordinated manner to this migratory challenge, which impacts not only Italy, but the whole of Europe.
However, the issue of immigration in the Mediterranean remains complex and solutions can only be found through dialogue and strengthened cooperation between the Member States of the European Union. The urgency of the situation requires rapid and effective action to deal with this record influx of migrants and find lasting solutions.