Premier Matteo Renzi told the
Ballarò TV talk show Tuesday the EU will show its true face at
the June 26 summit on the migrant emergency.
"(EU leaders) have to contend with public opinion at home
so they're a little afraid and concerned when the issue is
migrant quotas," Renzi said.
"By June 26 we'll see if and how the EU has the face of
solidarity...I'm very optimistic".
Migrant reception quotas are a stopgap remedy not a
solution however, he added.
"The real strategy is blocking the flow at the source in
Africa, investing in Africa," he said.
Italy will spearhead this effort in the coming months, the
premier said.
"We will resume investing in international cooperation,
especially Africa," he said.
The European Commission's proposed Agenda on Migration to
handle the massive wave of refugees arriving from North Africa
features a quota system to relocate migrants in response to
appeals for more help from Italy, which is bearing the brunt of
the burden of the Mediterranean migrant crisis.
It also envisages the tripling of funding for the EU Triton
patrol and rescue mission in the southern Mediterranean and the
creation of a naval force to disrupt people traffickers.
The agenda is set to be approved by the Commission on
Wednesday, and is expected to dominate the agenda when EU
leaders meet on June 26.
Some European countries have been vocal in opposing the EU
proposals, particularly quotas for migrant resettlement.
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