The minister for infrastructure and sustainable mobility, Enrico Giovannini, said during a visit to Lampedusa that the island should be seen "above all as a border of the European Union." The entire block, rather than individual countries, should manage the migration issue, he said.
"My presence intends to show the government's desire to render Lampedusa not only a border of Italy, but also one of the European Union, which is called upon to manage the migration issue as an entire" bloc and not only as individual countries, Italian infrastructure and sustainable mobility minister Enrico Giovannini said during a visit to the island on Monday (November 13).
An official statement noted that the minister was accompanied by the overall commander of the port authority, Chief Inspector Admiral Nicola Carlone, on his visit to the island.
The aim, it said, was to meet with the personnel involved in the daily rescue operations for migrants arriving by sea.
First, though, meetings were held with the local authorities including Agrigento prefect Maria Rita Cocciufa and Lampedusa mayor Salvatore Martello.
Also present was former ambassador and Director of the Department of Information for Security Elisabetta Belloni.
'Esteem and admiration' for those rescuing migrants
During his speech, the minister stressed the importance at a human and social level of sea rescues. The statement said that the minister wanted to show his solidarity with personnel involved in rescuing migrants, including the Coast Guard, the police, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and volunteer associations such as CISOM.
"I have esteem and admiration," the minister said, "and thank on behalf of the government all those involved in various ways in the migrant issue, doing their part in this collective effort."
Addressing Coast Guard personnel, he went on to say that: "as your minister, I have been able to get to know and appreciate your work, as people who risk their lives to rescue others."
Meetings with Save the Children and UNHCR
The statement added that, in such an important part of the year -- with the Christmas holidays approaching and after an intense period for the population as a whole -- Admiral Carlone wanted to thank the military for their priceless service in Europe's southernmost outpost.
"In such a complicated year," the commander said, "we have worked tirelessly in the service of our country, often in extreme conditions. We are here on Lampedusa, alongside the minister, to show our solidarity with all the personnel and thank everyone for their work."
The minister also met with the NGOs Save the Children and UNHCR, with which he discussed the issue of protecting women and children, with special reference to the reception and security of unaccompanied minors.