Premier Matteo Renzi said Thursday that "for the first time, Europe recognizes the immigration problem, it opens a window of opportunity". He spoke ahead of a meeting later in the day by European leaders on the issue, particularly resettlement of migrants. Italy has said it cannot alone handle the waves of migrants landing in the country. At morning meetings with regional governments in Rome, Renzi said that Italy "is a serious country...whose response on immigration needs to be shared".
Meanwhile, Lombardy Governor Roberto Maroni dismissed the meeting withRenzi, saying the national leader "only chatters" without providing answers on migrant issues.
"The meeting with Renzi was absolutely useless and disappointing: no concrete answer to (our) problems".
Veneto Governor Luca Zaia said prefects "should rebel" against Rome's orders on resettlement of migrants in various regions.
They should instead "comply with the demands of the territories" and local governors, he said.
Both governors are members of the Northern League party that is opposed to opening the country to migrants.
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