Rome - There has been "shameful" criticism by
anti-immigrant parties like the Northern League of Italy's Mare
Nostrum (Our Sea) search-and-rescue operation to avert migrant
disasters in the Mediterranean, Premier Matteo Renzi said
Friday.
He said the op that picks up all comers off rickety boats
sailing from North Africa had averted "100" possible recurrences
of last year's twin wrecks at the stepping-stone island of
Lampedusa that took 400 lives.
The Navy said Friday some 4,000 migrants have been rescued
in the last six days as good weather and increased work by
people traffickers swell the flow.
On Wednesday Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti defended
the humanitarian operation patrolling Italy's southernmost
borders, saying 27,790 illegal immigrants have been rescued and
more than 200 human traffickers arrested.
Among the thousands the Mare Nostrum task force has rescued
while trying to reach Italy by sea from Africa were 3,034
minors, the minister told the Lower House in response to
criticism from the Northern League party, which said the funds
would be better spent on encouraging businesses.
The Mare Nostrum operation was set up in October 2013
spearheaded by 782 Italian Navy personnel aboard a flotilla of
vessels supported by Carabinieri, Coast Guard, police and Air
Force units.
An increasing proportion of the illegal immigrants to Italy
are political refugees, Pinotti added.
"Two thirds of them qualify to ask for political asylum,"
she said.
In all 93% of illegal immigrants pass through Libya on
their way to Italy.
Mare Nostrum is a short-term operation and the EU should do
more to help Italy, Pinotto said, adding that Rome will
underline that position when Italy takes over the rotating
chairmanship of the EU.
"After the European elections the interlocutors will change
since the (European) Parliament and the Commission will be
renewed," Pinotti said.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA