Premier Matteo Renzi said he saw scope for an agreement between European Union leaders on the Mediterranean migrant crisis at an EU summit here on Friday.
Some EU countries have expressed reservations about the European Commission's plan to relocate migrants according to national quotas to share the burden of the crisis, following appeals from Italy for more help.
"The immigration issue is not a subject of discussion for this summit," Renzi said. "It is being talked about at all levels in view of the June European Council (summit). "There is scope for an agreement. I'm not worried about this".
Renzi on Friday called on his fellow European Union leaders to look the Mediterranean migrant crisis "in the eye". "It's impossible, even for my fellow European leaders, to think they can keep the boats sinking on the Mediterranean hidden from the eye," Renzi said referring to a series of migrant-boat disasters. "Europe's conscience is not 360 metres below the surface. Europe must look the at the drama of immigration in the eye when faced with this huge tragedy".
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