Czech PM confirms 19 EU countries back externalising migration handling

4 months ago 18

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and his Italian counterpart and partner in the conservative ECR group, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, showed they were on the same page on key issues on Monday in Italy, where talks focused on migration and “going beyond the EU’s migration pact.”

Following the bilateral talks, the two conservative leaders held a press conference.

“Italy has a very important role to play. The Czech Republic and Italy are among the countries that want to go beyond where the migration pact has taken us and want to find a real solution to illegal migration, which we do not yet have in Europe,” Fiala said.

Czechia and Italy are part of the informal group of EU member states who are drafting a joint letter asking the European Commission for the transfer of migration procedures outside the EU’s territory.

Fiala confirmed that the group currently includes 19 countries.

Meloni, for her part, said: “We agree that to manage migration the priority is to work on externalisation; therefore, to work with third countries, to prevent the flow rather than having to manage it.”

“Italy is setting a good example with the Mattei Plan for Africa, which aims to build a new model of development and cooperation compared to the past,” she added, referring to her government’s €5.5 billion plan to foster economic development in Africa, stimulate growth to reduce irregular migration to Europe, and position Italy as an energy hub for transporting natural gas supplies from Africa to Europe.

Italy was also the first EU country to sign a bilateral externalisation agreement with Albania.

Meloni’s advocacy of this innovative approach not only reshaped Italy’s migration strategy but also prompted the European Union to follow suit, leading to the signing of agreements with Tunisia and Egypt.

“The Italian cooperation with Albania is an example of a model that we can try and then expand. This is one way of dealing with illegal migration,” Fiala said.

EU Commission Spokesperson for home affairs Anitta Hipper told Euractiv last week that it is possible for the EU and the member states to cooperate with countries outside the EU in managing migration.

“It is important that this is done in full respect of EU and international law”, she added.

However, an EU official close to the matter told Euractiv that first, the current migration pact should be implemented.

“We stick to the implementation of what has been agreed […] this is our compass”, the EU official said, adding that the new migration pact was signed by all member states “precisely because it creates a win-win situation for all”.

The idea of outsourcing migration procedures – including the Italian-Albanian deal – has also been heavily criticised by human rights organisations.

The EU is, therefore, treading on thin ice with the concept of outsourcing migration management and could face accusations of violating human rights and international treaties.

In addition to migration, Italian and Czech leaders also share views on other issues – including the EU’s future agenda.

“We work together on European issues and have very similar views on the future direction of Europe,” Fiala said, highlighting competitiveness and the EU’s economy among joint topics of interest.

Meloni stressed the need for Europe to become a “geopolitical giant”, which goes hand in hand with “a European industry that must meet the needs of a complex international system”.

The two leaders also expressed deep satisfaction with the “solid friendship” and “excellent relations” between Italy and Czechia.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz, Alessia Peretti | Euractiv.it)