Italian-Danish PM Criticizes Uncontrolled Wave of Migrants to Europe

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni/DOK European Union

JAKARTA - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed their countries' stance against uncontrolled illegal migration to Europe.

The two leaders also called for changes to the European human rights convention to increase deportations.

"We do not accept uncontrolled immigration to Europe and have called for strict migration policies both in our country and in Europe," said a joint statement by the two leaders posted on Meloni's social media accounts, reported by Sputnik, Tuesday, August 11.

According to the two prime ministers, illegal migration has a negative impact on European society, especially contributing to an increase in crime, increasing the burden on public services, and undermining public confidence.

"European citizens expect concrete action from politicians on migration and security," Meloni and Frederiksen said.

"It is necessary to create a repatriation center in a third country, as well as implement other innovative solutions outside Europe. We are actively working on this," the two leaders said.

Meloni and Frederiksen reiterated their commitment to advancing solutions that will ensure greater security for European citizens, especially for the most vulnerable groups.

"Together, we have succeeded in changing the balance in the application of the European Convention on Human Rights to foreign nationals who commit serious crimes. As a result, the number of deportations has increased," the statement said.

At the end of July, Ceuta - a Spanish enclave in North Africa - experienced a crisis due to a large wave of migrants from neighboring Morocco.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said about 72,000 migrants had entered Ceuta, and about 70,000 had returned to Morocco.

Moroccan authorities estimate that around 40,000 people have entered the Spanish enclave.

In response to the migration crisis, Italy has imposed additional checks on passengers and vehicles arriving from Spain.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said checks on boats and planes from Spain would continue at least until Saturday (15/8) amid reports of possible new attempts to cross the border en masse.