Italy proposes 'migration compact' to EU

(ANSA) - Brussels, April 15 - Italy has sent a wide-ranging 'migration compact' to the presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk, to cut migrant flows, EU sources said Friday. The document envisages a framework accord with countries of origin and transit and a big financial commitment by the EU which could be achieved by redistributing already earmarked funds and also via possible Eurobonds, the sources said. Premier Matteo Renzi said in a letter accompanying the proposed compact that "the management of migrant flows is no longer sustainable without targeted and reinforced cooperation with the Third Countries of origin and transit". He said "much has been done, but we must do much more, quickly, if we want to avert the worsening of a systemic crisis." The migration compact will be distributed as an unofficial document at an upcoming EU foreign ministers' meeting.
    The compact has been drafted in view of a switch in flows of migrants and refugees to the Libya-Italy route after the Balkan route was closed off.