Italy effort on migrants recognised (3)

(ANSA) - Brussels, December 15 - Italy's efforts to cope with a migrant emergency have been recognised by its European Union partners, Premier Paolo Gentiloni said at an EU summit in Brussels Friday. "This year's Italian initiative has been appreciated in a very significant way, and it is important that this be so by the leaders of governments of the most various orientations and political families," he said. Gentiloni said "there is unanimous recognition of the steps taken to fight human traffickers".
    Italy took action this year to stem a seemingly endless flow of migrants from North Africa.
    It struck accords with Libya that have led to the Libyan coast guard stopping migrant boats.
    Human rights groups have voiced concern about the allegedly inhuman state of Libyan migrant camps.
    Italy has vowed to work with them to improve conditions in the camps, where beatings and rape have been reported.