On Sunday, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, urged member states of the European Union to host a portion of the migrants arriving in Italy. This plea was made during her visit to the island of Lampedusa, accompanied by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The French Press Agency quoted von der Leyen stating, “Illegal migration is a European challenge that requires a European response.” She further emphasized the need for member states to “host” a section of the thousands of migrants reaching Lampedusa’s shores, an influx that exceeds the small Italian island’s capacity.
Last Wednesday, Italian authorities welcomed over 5,100 migrants in Lampedusa, leading the local council to declare an emergency. Lampedusa has long been a primary destination for migrants from North Africa aiming for European shores, primarily due to its proximity to the Tunisian city of Sfax.
The island’s refugee camp is notably overcrowded. The Italian Prime Minister had previously invited von der Leyen to visit Lampedusa to comprehend the “gravity of the situation” faced by Italy. Meloni has urged the initiation of a European operation to immediately halt migrant boats. In a video message last Friday, she stated that naval forces should be deployed if necessary.
Migration has been a pressing issue for Europe for several years. The routes to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea have witnessed thousands of deaths, making it one of the deadliest migration routes globally. The European Union has grappled with the challenge of creating a united front in addressing the influx. Different member states have various stances on how to manage and distribute the responsibilities associated with this human crisis, and the current events in Lampedusa add urgency to the need for a consolidated response.
