‘Hungary is not the only European Union member state saying no to the redistribution of migrants; nations that consider themselves much more European also do the same,’ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized at a press event in Milan on Tuesday.

Giorgia Meloni stated that she is not aware that France or Germany ‘have taken in so many people from Italy.’ She referred to the fact that out of over a hundred thousand migrants arriving on Italian shores annually, few member states have actually taken in people.

The Prime Minister was a guest at a meeting organized by the right-wing daily newspaper La Verità, held on Tuesday as part of campaign events for the European Parliament elections about the future of Italy and Europe.

Giorgia Meloni explained that when she began governing in October 2022, the debate in Europe was solely about the redistribution of migrants.

‘Hungary resists redistribution, but nations that consider themselves much more European do so as well,’

she elaborated.

The Italian PM believes that the only viable path which takes everyone’s interests into account is to have a debate on how to stop illegal immigration into Europe. ‘The only serious approach involves cooperation with the origin and transit countries,’ Giorgia Meloni opined.

She added that her government has reached agreements with Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya over the past year and a half on cooperation to stop illegal immigration.

As a result, she cited a 60 per cent decrease in migration pressure in the western Mediterranean since last spring.

‘This is the path to follow, and with their votes, citizens of member states can convey this message to the European Union…their vote is of fundamental importance to strengthen the position of ours and like-minded individuals,’ Giorgia Meloni underscored.

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