‘Immigration is a European challenge,’ says Metsola

President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi on Thursday to discuss major issues facing Europe.

While making an appeareance on RaiUno, Metsola spoke at length about topics discussed between the two major political leaders – from Italy’s pick for the European Commission Raphaele Fitto to the management of migratory flows.

“I am the president of the entire European Parliament,” said Metsola, “I would like to work with the proactive forces to give answers to people, to farmers, to industry. In the spirit in which the EU was built by De Gasperi, by Spinelli. It is in this spirit that we must find majorities of those who build and not those who destroy.”

Metsola on Fitto’s candidature

“I have known Fitto for a long time and I have no doubt that he will do an excellent job as commissioner. There will be a hearing for all the commissioners and what counts is competence: giving a vice-presidency to Italy is an important step, given that we are talking about a founding country,” said the president of the European Parliament.

‘On immigration we must move forward together’

Metsola’s intent was clear: solutions on immigration must be found. She also described how no country – neither Malta nor Italy – should be made to feel alone as the management of migratory flows is “a European challenge.”

Metsola also relaunched the immigration and asylum pact voted for last April in Brussels.

“We voted for it also with the help of our Italian colleagues. It contains innovative solutions after decades of blockade, because it protects the external borders, shows firmness with those who cannot be identified, guarantees safe and quick repatriation and proves to be strong against traffickers: we must always bear in mind that we are talking about human beings, not numbers.”

Middle East and de-escalation

The President of the European Parliament also stressed the importance of the EU continuing to “call for de-escalation, denounce the role of Iran, call for the release of hostages and continue our humanitarian aid.”

On anti-Semitism, Metsola stressed: “If you are anti-Semitic, you are against Europe. It is very important for us to learn from the lessons of the past in order to be ready to face the present and future, including this. The situation in the Middle East is a catastrophe.”