(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 17 - Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on
Tuesday told the Lower House that a directive regarding
repatriations and the concept of safe countries could not be
postponed any longer and called for the implementation as soon
as possible of a new Pact on immigration and asylum.
"We consider as undelayable a review of the directive on
repatriations and of the concept of safe country, as we consider
important to move up as much as possible what has been provided
for by the new Pact on immigration and asylum, also with the aim
of finally shedding light on an issue that was the object of
recent judicial measures of an ideological flavour which, if
confirmed in their basic philosophy by the EU Court of Justice,
would risk compromising, at least until new EU rules come into
force in 2026, the repatriation policies of all member states, a
concerning and unacceptable perspective that it is necessary to
prevent with determination", said Meloni.
Speaking about the appointment to the European Commission of
Italy's Raffaele Fitto as an executive vice president with the
brief for cohesion and the NRRP, Meloni said Italy's former
European affairs minister is a "politician of value, esteemed in
Italy and in Europe" and "we can recognize how the role is
adequate to the weight of our nation in Europe, confirming
Italy's centrality".
"It is not only an honorary title but a concrete tool that will
allow to supervise and coordinate strategic sectors like
agriculture, fishing, the economy of the sea, social housing:
Italian sensibility can contribute to a pragmatic approach,
overcoming the ideological and dogmatic one" of the past few
years, said the premier.
Speaking about the automotive sector, Meloni also called for the
"suspension of fines for producers because they are already
leading many plants to shut down and, in the medium period, we
are pursuing the objective of reopening the chapter of
technological neutrality to use technologies in order to reduce
polluting substances".
On December 19, EU leaders are set to meet in Brussels to
discuss Ukraine, the European Union's global role, the Middle
East, migration and foreign policy issues, among others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been invited to
attend the meeting. (ANSA).