A summit of EU foreign
ministers "welcomed" Italy's migration proposal, EU Foreign
Affairs High Representative Federica Mogherini said Monday.
"Many elements (of the proposal) support work we are already
doing," she said. "We think it is a positive political
contribution to keep the focus on the work that needs to be done
and to increase institutions and member States' joint
commitment".
"It was stressed that right now it is essential to keep our
efforts focused on (asylum seeker) resettlements and
relocations".
Lower House Speaker Laura Boldrini added she hopes the EU
will respond "in a timely and coordinated manner" in the wake of
"the umpteenth tragedy" after the Somali information ministry
said some 200 migrants died in the Mediterranean in a shipwreck
reported by the BBC this morning.
"Too little has been done so far to take on the root of the
problem with interventions on the causes of forced migrations in
the countries of origin," Boldrini said.
She went on to call for the opening of legal channels for
people fleeing wars and persecution and a "true European common
asylum system" based on solidarity, shared burdens, and the
protection of fundamental human rights.
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