Europe must take responsibility for protecting its southern border, Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist N-VA) insisted, following a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, in Rome. He thanked Meloni in Italian for the warm welcome.
Home News
PM De Wever calls for ‘credible migrant return policy’, has a go in Italian (VIDEO)
Published:
At the European level, De Wever and Meloni often champion the same position together – for example, on tackling economic problems and migration. The war in Ukraine was also discussed during their talks in the eternal city.
“I fully understand that we must strengthen Europe’s southern border. We talk a lot about the eastern border and the threats there, but we must not forget that we have a southern border, a border on the Mediterranean. Europe must take responsibility for securing that border,” said De Wever.
European Migration Pact
De Wever met Meloni following a summer in which, unexpectedly, tens of thousands of people from Morocco stormed the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in the continent of Africa. Italy promptly introduced border controls for travellers from Spain, a measure that was extended again last week for a further 15 days.
Meloni also made a case for better protection of the external borders. “I remain firmly convinced that the Schengen area can only be maintained if the Union’s external borders are protected and if everyone plays their part in the fight against people smugglers,” she said.
De Wever also called for the full roll-out of the new European migration pact, including a stronger return policy. “Only with a credible return policy can we make European migration policy a success,” argued the Belgian leader.
Geopolitical instability
De Wever’s Flemish nationalist N-VA and Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia party form part of the same political group (ECR) in the European Parliament, and the two politicians are also “comrades-in-arms” in the European Council, according to De Wever. The Prime Minister praised Meloni’s “leadership” and the “excellent” bilateral relations with Italy. The fact that he did so in Italian earned him a round of applause from his hostess.
Belgium and Italy are on the same wavelength not only on the issue of migration. According to De Wever, both countries are also fighting the same battle to strengthen European competitiveness and combat high energy prices that are hampering European industry. The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation for the cooperation in the fight against organised crime.
On the geopolitical front, according to De Wever, both countries hope for a swift end to the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. “We believe we must make greater diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict on our own continent,” said the Prime Minister.
Geopolitical instability has led to rising defence budgets and rearmament programmes across Europe. Belgium and Italy also wish to join forces in this area. “Greater cooperation is on the agenda, and we are very keen to do more with Italian industry,” the Prime Minister added.