Illegal migration is a security threat to the European Union and the union must defend its borders from threats in this regard coming from Russia and criminal organizations, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said today, Reuters reported.
“In my opinion, tackling illegal migration solely on a one-on-one basis was a mistake“, Meloni said at a news conference after an EU security summit in Finland.
“As a result, we have failed to protect our borders. We want to protect our external borders and we will not allow Russia or criminal organisations to undermine our security,” she added.
The prime minister added that she was pleased with current interior minister Matteo Piantedosi after a court ruling cleared the way for Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini to potentially take over his post. On Friday, a court acquitted Salvini of charges that he kidnapped more than 100 migrants aboard a ship that was stranded at sea for more than three weeks in 2019, while he was interior minister – part of his policy to stem illegal migration.
The verdict means that Salvini, who is currently Italy’s transport minister, can return to his post as interior minister.
“Both Matteo Salvini and I are pleased with the great work of our current interior minister,” Meloni stressed.