House Speaker accuses EU of not helping save migrants' lives

(ANSA) - San Giorgio Navy ship, June 20 - 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.