The European
Union is playing a key role in welcoming refugees but not in
helping rescue migrants at sea, Lower House Speaker Laura
Boldrini said Friday while visiting an Italian Navy ship taking
part in a rescue-and-surveillance operation in the
Mediterranean.
"Europe plays its part in welcoming refugees", said Boldrini
aboard the San Giorgio vessel deployed in the so-called Mare
Nostrum operation launched by the Italian government in October
last year after several rafts carrying migrants shipwrecked off
the country's coasts, resulting in some 400 deaths.
"In 2013, 110,000 applications were presented in Germany,
60,000 in France and 26,000 in Italy", noted the House speaker.
However, "Europe does not fulfill a role in saving human
lives at sea", noted Boldrini, stressing that such a
responsibility "cannot be given to just one country" because
"the area is Europe's border".
Overall, Boldrini asked for European border agency Frontex
to be granted more funding and a more significant role in
operations.
Italy's Mare Nostrum operation includes amphibious ships,
unmanned drones and helicopters with infrared equipment.
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