BRUSSELS – The European Union (EU) said on Wednesday that Italian economic and infrastructure is under pressure due to the rise in immigration flows from North Africa.
EU Commissioner for Immigration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said in Brussels on the sidelines of a hearing before the European Parliament sitting that Italy deserved help from EU.
“The new emergency created by the latest influx of immigrants across the Strait of Sicily requires immediate action by Europe”, Mr Avramopoulos.
He is scheduled to visit Sicily, Italy, next week to meet Italy’s Interior Minister Angelino Alfano and visit the reception centres for immigrants.
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“States have already received European funds to tackle the emergency and we’re ready to allocate more.
“But, this is not so much the issue, as much as developing a long-term strategy”, the Commissioner told newsmen.
He recalled that the European Commission was working on an agenda laying the grounds for EU’s new immigration policy, which will be presented at the end of May.
“Up to now the approach has been fragmented; now we want it to be shared and complete”, Avramopoulos said. (AGI/NAN)
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