EU ministers cool to Italy’s call for aid

Author (Person)
Series Title
Series Details 25.2.11
Publication Date 25/02/2011
Content Type

Italy’s request for assistance to cope with what it called a possible 'invasion' of North African migrants drew a tepid response at a meeting of European interior ministers in Brussels on the 24 February 2011.

An Italian proposal to distribute North African migrants throughout the 27-member bloc was also met with a cool response.

Cecilia Malmström, the European Commissioner for justice and home affairs, said member states had agreed that the crisis was a European problem and were willing to provide assistance. But Ms Malmström suggested that the EU should first focus its efforts on helping neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt cope with migrants from Libya.

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France24, 2,3,11: Hundreds of new migrants arrive on Italian island http://www.france24.com/en/20110302-hundreds-new-migrants-arrive-italian-island-lampedusa-tunisia-boats
Deutsche Welle, 25.2.11: Gadhafi fights on as EU, US consider 'multilateral measures' http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14856872,00.html
ESO: Background information: EU to step up Mediterranean control http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-to-step-up-mediterranean-control/
ESO: Background information: Italy comes to terms with a new north Africa / Italy appeals for help with Tunisian flotilla http://www.europeansources.info/record/italy-comes-to-terms-with-a-new-north-africa-italy-appeals-for-help-with-tunisian-flotilla/
BBC News, 24.2.11: EU urged to share asylum burden amid N Africa turmoil http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12565214
Deutsche Welle, 24.2.11: EU ministers reject Italian request for help with feared Libyan 'exodus' http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14872918,00.html
Council of the European Union: Press Release: PRES/11/38: Justice and Home Affairs Council, Brussels, 24.2.11 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/jha/119497.pdf
Spiegel Online International, 24.2.11: Italy Warns of a New Wave of Immigrants to Europe http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,747459,00.html
La Stampa, 24.2.11: Lampedusa, an outpost in the storm (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/515771-lampedusa-outpost-storm
EUObserver, 24.2.11: 3,000 EU citizens still trying to get out of Libya http://euobserver.com/9/31868
EUObserver, 25.2.11: EU hopes Turkey deal will keep out African migrants http://euobserver.com/9/31872
EurActiv, 25.2.11: EU rejects Italy's call for help with migrants http://www.euractiv.com/justice/eu-rejects-italys-call-help-migr-news-502503

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