Italy and
Denmark PMs Release Joint Address on Immigration
Meloni
Frederiksen
Prime
Ministers Giorgia Meloni of Italy (L) and Mette Frederiksen of Denmark (R)
Prime
Ministers Giorgia Meloni of Italy and Mette Frederiksen of Denmark have
released a ‘joint message for Europe’. The public address was published on PM
Meloni’s Facebook page on Monday, August 10.
‘Dear
all, we are aware that many might be wondering about our collaboration. We come
from very different political backgrounds, and we certainly do not agree on
everything. We are the only two women leading governments in the EU. One of us
leads a great Southern country; the other, a small Northern country. But we are
united by our desire to defend Europe,’ the message begins.
The two
female Prime Ministers then declare that ‘we do not accept uncontrolled
immigration to Europe, and we have promoted a strict immigration policy, both
in our nations and in Europe.’
This is
significant because, as referenced in the message above, PM Meloni comes from a
right-wing party, while PM Frederiksen comes from a left-wing party.
Illegal
migration has once again become a pressing issue in Europe in the wake of the
migrant invasion of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Ceuta lies on the African
continent and is surrounded by Moroccan territory. Last month, thousands of
illegal migrants breached the border barriers and flooded the city.
In
response, the Italian Prime Minister suspended the Schengen Area exemptions and
reinstated border checks for travellers arriving from Spain, prompting the
Spanish government to take the same measure in response.
‘No one
can deny the negative impacts of illegal immigration on our societies:
increased crime rates, growing pressure on public services, and the erosion of
our citizens’ trust. It is particularly serious when illegal immigrants, who
have no right to remain in our nations, commit violent crimes, deal drugs, or
become responsible for sexual violence,’ the joint statement by PM Meloni and
Frederiksen continues.
‘Understandably,
European citizens expect concrete action from their political representatives.
For too long, ordinary people in particular have paid too high a price because
of uncontrolled immigration. It is our duty to continue working resolutely to offer
concrete answers to citizens, especially the most exposed, and to ensure
greater safety and protection for our communities.
Together,
we have managed to change the balance in the application of the European
Convention on Human Rights with regard to foreign citizens who commit serious
crimes. Consequently, deportations should now increase.’
The two
heads of government also call for reception centres in third countries for
deported illegal migrants as part of the solution.
‘But this
isn’t enough. Respect for our laws must go hand in hand with respect for
European values,’ they go on to write. ‘This is true for illegal immigrants,
but also for the millions of foreign citizens who live legally in our nations
and throughout Europe.’
The
message concludes: ‘We are both proud of the Christian cultural heritage of
Europe and we want to protect it. We expect those who come to our countries and
choose to make Europe their home to respect our values and not try to impose
ways of life that we do not share…and we believe that millions of Europeans
share this belief.’
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