(ANSA) - Vienna, Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta on
Thursday asked her EU counterparts to change the rules of EU
anti-human-trafficking mission Sophia so that Italy no longer
has to take all the migrants who are rescued.
In 2015, she said "it was thought that action in
extra-territorial waters would only be a first phase".
She said "things in Libya took a different tack and Sophia's
presence has now lasted for three years.
"So far, as Italy, we have taken all the migrants saved on
our own.
"This is no longer possible, I say so on behalf of the
government. The rules must be changed.
Trenta added that "Europe's image is at stake in the Sophia
mission".
She said "in some respects Sophia shows that Europe can be a
security provider, but I think the image of Europe is at stake
with Sophia...our proposal aims to introduce a rotation in the
landing ports and a coordination unit that assigns the port to
the competent country".
EU member States should be "constructive" on changing the
rules for the ports that the Sophia mission that rescues
migrants at sea, European Union High Representative for Foreign
Affairs Federica Mogherini said on her way into the meeting
Thursday.
Mogherini said some proposals had been discussed in July and
August to solve the issue of the Sophia landing ports.
"Today I'll see if there is room and what kind of room to
find a response.
"This requires a constructive attitude and responsibility on
the part of all member States".
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