Asylum in Third Countries: Forging an Alliance on Migration with Merz and Meloni
Migrant Integration Proposal by Merz and Meloni
In a promising shift, German Chancellor Merz and Italian Prime Minister Meloni are exploring a strategic alliance aimed at tackling the influx of irregular immigration into the European Union. During Merz's recent visit to Rome, he expressed a commitment to collaborating more closely with Italy in regards to immigration matters.
Rumblings in Rome: Merz and Meloni Discuss Kyiv and More
"Our goal is to tackle irregular migration into the European Union more decisively than before," Merz declared during their joint press conference. The German Chancellor also made it clear that he would no longer serve as an obstacle to problem-solving within the European Union.
In terms of secondary migration, Merz and Meloni agreed to bolster their cooperation with third countries. The Chancellor expressed approval of Italy's recent collaborative efforts with certain Mediterranean nations, stating, "The strategies employed by Italy in recent months, particularly with some Mediterranean countries, have shown great promise."
A Look Beyond EU Borders: Externalizing Asylum Procedures
Merz and Meloni's proposed plan revolves primarily around moving components of the asylum process, such as reception, evaluation, and potentially processing, to countries outside the EU. The aim is to alleviate the burden on frontline states like Italy by externalizing the logistics and administrative aspects of the asylum procedures.
Under Fire: The Controversial Italian-Albanian Model
Italy has initiated a cooperative agreement with EU candidate Albania, planning to transfer refugees intercepted in the Mediterranean to processing centers in Albania. This approach, however, has drawn criticism and is currently facing legal challenges.
"We are well aware of the complexities, including legal issues, surrounding Italy's collaboration with Albania," Merz acknowledged during the press conference with Meloni. Nonetheless, Merz hinted that this approach could still hold merit.
Is this the Solution? Merz's Perspective
Though Merz and Meloni view externalizing asylum procedures as a significant step towards managing migration flows, they are mindful that it is not a complete solution. Instead, Merz emphasizes that this approach represents a valuable contribution to the broader migratory picture.
Reliable Partners: Fostering the Germany-Italy Relationship
Both leaders underscored the deep-rooted friendship between their countries, with Merz stating, "Germany and Italy share a bond that has spanned decades." This emotional bond was palpable throughout their joint statements and demonstrates the pressing importance both leaders place on the alliance.
Sources: ntv.de, mau/AFP
- Migration
- Migrants
- Immigration
- Friedrich Merz
- Giorgia Meloni
- Asylum procedures in third countries
- Asylum law
- Asylum policy
- Asylum seekers
In the pursuit of a more decisive approach to irregular migration within the European Union, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are collaborating closely and exploring externalizing asylum procedures in third countries as a potential solution to alleviate the burden on frontline states.
However, they remain mindful that this approach is not a comprehensive solution and will face legal challenges, as demonstrated by the critique the Italian-Albanian model has received. Regardless, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering the deep-rooted relationship between their countries in the face of this collaboration, with Merz stating, "Germany and Italy share a bond that has spanned decades." This emotional bond was evident in their joint statements during the press conference, emphasizing the importance they place on this alliance. (policies, migration, politics)
