Michel Barnier and Bruno Retailleau's Visit to Italy: Tackling Illegal Immigration
On Friday, Michel Barnier, accompanied by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, will visit Menton (Alpes-Maritimes) and Ventimiglia, Italy, to engage in discussions regarding the fight against illegal immigration. This meeting includes Italian ministers Antonio Tajani (Foreign Affairs) and Matteo Piantedosi (Interior), and is part of a broader effort to enhance cooperation between France and Italy on immigration matters. The meeting is scheduled for midday, followed by a visit to the police and customs cooperation center in Ventimiglia.
Strengthening Franco-Italian Cooperation on Migration
The French and Italian governments recently agreed to establish a cooperation unit in early 2025 aimed at sharing intelligence on migrant smuggling networks. This initiative is modeled after an existing framework between France and the United Kingdom, which has been operational since 2020. The discussions come at a time when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed new legislation to facilitate the expulsion of irregular migrants, responding to pressures from member states including France and Germany.
Controversial Agreements and Future Legislation
The visit also highlights ongoing debates within the European Union regarding migration policies. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's recent agreement with Albania, which allows for the transfer of migrants to that country, has sparked both criticism and interest from various European nations. Meanwhile, the French government is contemplating a new immigration law that would increase the maximum detention period for 'dangerous' foreigners from 90 to 210 days. Additionally, France has been reinstating internal border controls regularly since 2017 at the Franco-Italian border due to ongoing security threats.
