Meloni regrets Germany's "step backwards" regarding NGOs and challenges it to welcome rescued migrants

"You cannot be supportive using the borders of others," he says.

MADRID, 29 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, has reiterated that her Government needs "time" to examine the latest proposal to reach a common migration pact in the EU and has once again questioned the position of the German Executive, which she has accused of giving a "step back" with its support for the work of rescue NGOs and which has challenged them to assume more weight in terms of reception.

Meloni, who has confirmed contacts with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has proposed that the country "responsible" for hosting the migrants rescued by NGO boats in the Mediterranean be the country of origin of each organization.

"I understand the position of the rest, but you cannot be supportive using the borders of others," said the prime minister, during a meeting of leaders of Mediterranean countries in Malta in which she held a separate meeting with the president of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

In general Meloni perceives that there is a common interest to address the migration issue with "seriousness, concreteness and speed" and, in the case of the countries gathered in Malta, among which Spain is included, he perceives "convergence" on this matter. The far-right leader has once again insisted on addressing the "external dimension" of the "problem", therefore advocating improved coordination with the countries of origin and transit.

In this sense, he announced that a first tranche of European aid is scheduled to arrive in Tunisia next week, since the Tunisian side "has fulfilled its commitments." The European Commission's plan involves delivering a total of 127 million euros to Tunisia, including 67 million destined to strengthen the fight against illegal migration.

In this sense, he has announced that a first tranche of European aid is scheduled to arrive in Tunisia next week. The European Commission plans to deliver a total of 127 million euros to Tunisia, including 67 million to strengthen the fight against illegal migration.

"For us, the redistribution (of migrants) has never been the priority, since the problem will never be completely resolved if each country thinks about leaving it to the other," Meloni explained, in statements to the media in which he advanced that he will present his point of view again at the informal European Council scheduled for next week in Granada.