The migration issue in Europe casts a chill.

EU interior ministers will meet on November 25 in Brussels to discuss migration policy after the Franco-Italian crisis over the reception of a boat of migrants, the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union announced on Thursday. EU.

Rome's refusal to welcome the ship Ocean Viking, with 230 migrants on board, finally welcomed in France, caused a diplomatic crisis with Paris.

France had called for “European initiatives” for “better control of external borders and solidarity mechanisms”.

The Czech Presidency announced on Twitter that it had convened an “Extraordinary Home Affairs Council” during which “Ministers will discuss the current situation on all migration routes”.

The migration issue is a bone of contention between the Twenty-Seven.

They are divided on the solidarity mechanisms to be put in place to relieve the countries on the front line in receiving migrants, particularly in the Mediterranean.

The countries of central Europe are hostile to any relocation of migrants on their territory, while the Dublin regulation entrusts the examination of an asylum application to the country through which the candidate entered the EU.

Asylum rules

The November 25 meeting should address the reform of asylum rules, paralyzed since 2015, as well as border protection and solidarity mechanisms, a European diplomat told AFP.

EU policy towards the countries of origin and transit of migrants as well as the role of NGOs "instrumentalised by smugglers" will also be at the heart of the discussions, said this diplomat.

"The tensions between France and Italy pose a problem, they must be defused," he added.



French government spokesman Olivier Véran described Italy's refusal to host the Ocean Viking as "unacceptable".

He had asked Europe "to decide very quickly on the follow-up to be given".

In announcing its decision to welcome the boat, the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin had indicated that, as a retaliatory measure, France was suspending with "immediate effect" the planned reception of 3,500 migrants currently in Italy.

The head of the Italian government Giorgia Meloni had denounced an "aggressive" and "unjustified" reaction, recalling that her country had already welcomed nearly 90,000 migrants since the beginning of the year.


Policy

44 survivors of the "Ocean Viking" will be expelled from French territory, announces Gérald Darmanin to the Assembly

Company

Ocean Viking: Migrants held in closed waiting area

  • Company

  • Migrants

  • Immigration

  • European Union (EU)

  • Minister of the Interior