• Tweeter
  • republish

The next President of the European Commission, the German Ursula von der Leyen, at a press conference with Italian Council President Giuseppe Conte, Rome, 2 August 2019. REUTERS / Ciro De Luca

Ursula von der Leyen, on Friday (August 2nd) in Rome, said she planned to propose " a new pact for migration and asylum " to better distribute efforts within the European Union.

New elected President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen met Friday 2 August with Italian Council President Giuseppe Conte in Rome. She spoke at the end of this meeting on immigration, a subject that causes a lot of tensions in the country. Since Wednesday, a decree has banned the entry of migrant rescue boats into Italian waters, forcing the ships Alan Kurdi and that of the Spanish NGO Open Arms to set sail for Malta with a total of 164 migrants on board. A situation that can not last anymore according to Ursula Von der Leyen, who proposes to change the method.

" I want to propose a new pact for migration and asylum, because I believe we need to start fresh with a fresh look at migration. We know that this reality is not about to stop, because it is inherent to globalization. What we need are procedures that are both effective and humane, "said Ursula von der Leyen.

" I know the task is hard, but we all understand that there is no simple solution or simple answer to that. We need to rethink how we distribute the burden equitably, and I am aware that countries like Italy, Greece and Spain are more exposed than others because of their geographical position. So we have to take it into account, as we have to be able to rely on each other, "she added.

" Obviously, solidarity does not work in one way, it is always mutual, but if we work together we will find solutions that will allow us to move forward, " concluded the next President of the European Commission.

Ursula Von der Leyen wants a "new pact for migration" 02/08/2019 - by RFI Play