ITALY: Foreign Minister Franco Frattini fears further migrant influx from other North African countries

Record ID: 348126

  • Title: ITALY: Foreign Minister Franco Frattini fears further migrant influx from other North African countries
  • Date: 16th February 2011
  • Summary: LAMPEDUSA, ITALY (FEBRUARY 14, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) VARIOUS NIGHT VIEW TUNISIAN MIGRANTS AT LAMPEDUSA AIRPORT WAITING TO BE FLOWN OUT TUNISIAN MIGRANTS GETTING ONTO PLANE
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy, Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAALBOZD25NZVDYC5RDM55B8748
  • Story Text: Italian authorities began moving out Tunisian migrants from an overcrowded holding centre on the island of Lampedusa on Tuesday (February 15) in an effort to relieve the strain on resources.
    Tunisian migrants have been roaming the streets of the Mediterranean island, some holding banners reading: 'Grazie Lampedusa.'
    "We want to thank Italy because they have helped us, they are the only country helping us," said one Tunisian migrant standing in a central street on the island.
    Over 5,000 migrants have so far arrived on the island giving the Italian government a serious problem of overcrowding and massive security concerns.
    "The geopolitical scenario at the moment in the Mediterranean means it is very possible, if not probable, that an influx or a series of waves of migrants will occur not just from Tunisia," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told the lower house of parliament on Tuesday.
    "There are other countries who are passing complex moments and difficulties, I am thinking of Egypt," Frattini said.
    Frattini outlined the shoring up of the immigration accord between Tunisia and Italy, saying Italy was committed to helping the new leadership stem the flow of migrants. But he said Europe also needed to play its role.
    "This is why the first point of a political agenda I wish to outline in this chamber is that the European Union needs to intervene in the gestation of this emergency which is occurring. But it also needs to intervene to outline a vision in the mid to long term with a range of initiatives that need to take into account the immediate future and development, growth and restructuring, of social and social economic aspects of the southern Mediterranean," he said.
    Frontex, the European Union's border controlling agency has also said it will help the Italian authorities, providing additional vessels to patrol international waters.
    Over 100 migrants have now been moved from Lampedusa to mainland Italy to be held in other larger holding areas. Some migrants were flown out on Monday evening whilst others have been moved by ferry.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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