This archive report was first published on 28 July 2019.
On July 28, 2019, a migrant rescue operation unfolded in the Mediterranean, with Italian patrols picking up 140 migrants from two rickety boats off the coast of Libya.
As the migrants were transferred to the Gregoretti ship, a military vessel berthed in the port of Augusta, Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli emphasized the need for EU action, stating, "The Gregoretti berthed in the port of Augusta overnight, as is normal procedure for a military vessel. Now the EU has to act because the migration question concerns the whole continent."
However, Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has taken a hard line against migrants being brought to Italy, insisting that the remaining migrants would not be allowed to disembark until other European countries agree to take them in.
Salvini's stance is rooted in his belief that Italy bears an unfair burden in the migrant crisis, a sentiment echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to redistribute refugees rescued in the Mediterranean. While 14 EU members approved the plan, eight countries expressed willingness to actively participate, Salvini remained unconvinced, citing concerns that the agreement still allowed migrants to disembark on Italian territory.
As the standoff continues, Pope Francis has called on the international community to "act swiftly" to prevent further deaths, emphasizing the need for decisive action to guarantee the safety and dignity of all migrants.
