Giorgia Meloni, Italy's Prime Minister, is continuing her steadfast initiative to shape the European Union's migration policy as she hosts another round of informal meetings, this time on the sidelines of the European Council.
On the agenda was the pressing matter of irregular migration, reflecting Meloni's unwavering focus on addressing this pivotal issue. Collaboratively organized with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, the discussions saw participation from key leaders across Europe, including Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, along with representatives from Cyprus, Greece, Malta, the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, and Hungary.
This gathering, which took place just before the official Council discussions, is indicative of Meloni's intent to garner collective support for flexible migration solutions. The meeting's atmosphere hinted at unity among the participating nations, commonly referred to as the group of "hawks" on the migration issue.
According to ANSA, "The president of the Council illustrated the main lines of work indicated in last Monday's letter, focusing on the proposal for new legal frameworks for returns." The proposed frameworks are focused on providing legal clarity and operational efficacy concerning the EU's approach to migration.
Meloni's agenda also seeks to counter the challenges faced by Italy's plan to establish return centers for migrants—centers built with significant investment but remaining dormant due to legal uncertainties. This situation has drawn criticisms, most recently highlighted by Elly Schlein, the Secretary of the Democratic Party, who characterized them as facing "a dramatic failure" during her recent visit to the facilities.
The Italian government is pushing for clarity on the definitions of "safe countries" and "safe third countries" to support its return strategies. Notably, the anticipated launch of new migration directives early next year is expected to clarify these definitions. Legal obstacles have hampered the implementation of the Italy-Albania migration agreement, which has seen its application halted following two unfavorable judgments from the EU Court of Justice.
Meloni's commitment is particularly pronounced as she aims to advocate for solutions she views as innovative, focusing on dismantling the business models of human traffickers. She also emphasizes the need for European nations to direct resources toward those genuinely entitled to seek refuge.
Discussions among the leaders emphasized the importance of establishing and operationalizing these new frameworks without delay. The leaders conferred on how to bolster EU action along migration routes, collaborating with bodies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to implement assisted voluntary returns.
Significantly, this meeting occurs during a shift toward more stringent migration policies across Europe, reflecting trends where right-leaning governments are increasingly echoing Meloni's approach. These growing alliances seem to consolidate support for greater control over migration, reshaping the EU's collective response to this persistent crisis.
Looking forward, major developments are on the horizon, with Meloni's government anticipating the rollout of new directives by March 2025. These will likely include enhanced frameworks for returns and the establishment of return hubs outside EU borders, including potential locations derived from the contentious Italy-Albania model.
With the backdrop of these discussions, it is clear Meloni aims to position Italy as a central figure within European migration discussions—a facilitator of change and advocate for innovative solutions aimed at reforming the EU's migration policies.
