Napolitano says immigration in crisis

(ANSA) - Rome, December 18 - The flight of migrants from conflict in Africa and the Middle East is the "true European emergency", President Giorgio Napolitano said Thursday.
    "During Italy's six-month duty presidency (of the European Union) we have managed to make it understood that the momentous migratory phenomena connected with the tragic events in the Middle East and Africa represent the true European emergency and must be tackled as such," Napolitano told diplomats.
    "170,000 people have been rescued this year on the Italian coasts alone," he added.
    Last month saw the termination of the Italy's humanitarian sea search and rescue programme Mare Nostrum, established in late 2013 in the wake of a boat disaster off the Sicilian island of Lampedusa in which around 400 people died to intervene on behalf of the growing number of migrants making the perilous crossing to Italy in search of a better life in Europe. It has been replaced by a new maritime patrol mission, Triton, launched by the European border agency Frontex, but which has less funding and craft at its disposal and puts the emphasis firmly on security.