Meloni Discusses Migration Priorities with New EU Council President Costa

Italy’s Commitment to Migration Management in Europe

Today, Giorgia Meloni, the President of the Council of Ministers, spoke by phone with António Costa, the new President of the European Council. This conversation followed Costa’s handover ceremony from the outgoing President, Charles Michel.

Meloni congratulated Costa and highlighted key priorities for Italy ahead of the December European Council meeting. A major focus is on migration. She emphasized the need for a strong legal framework in the European Union to handle asylum requests and the return of irregular migrants. Meloni recalled that the European Council had called for urgent legislative action on return procedures in October.

Both leaders discussed the importance of building equal partnerships between the EU and countries that migrants come from or transit through. They considered Italy’s Mattei Plan as a model for this cooperation and reinforced the need to combat human trafficking.

Additionally, Meloni welcomed Costa’s plan to hold an extraordinary European Council meeting in February to tackle security challenges in the EU.

The two leaders agreed to work closely together on key European issues moving forward. This collaboration shows Italy’s proactive approach to migration and security within the European framework.