Deputy Premier and Interior
Minister Matteo Salvini said Sunday that Italy could hinder
European Union activities in protest at being 'jerked around'
over the handling of migrants.
"We have shown that we know how to defend our borders and, in
the eventual case it is necessary, we will also show that we can
block European budgets and activities as long as Europe and some
individual countries jerk the Italian people around," Salvini
said.
On Saturday Salvini, who has spearheaded Italy's tough stance
on asylum seekers that has seen migrant-rescue ships denied
access to the nation's ports, accused Malta of giving petrol and
a compass to a boat with migrants on board and directing them
towards the island of Lampedusa.
He said that this was "another hostile act" after allegations
French officials crossed the Italian border to drop off migrants
on the other side.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA