Figures show a big drop in the number of migrant arrivals on Italian coasts in July and August. Interior Minister Marco Minniti claims this is the result of the Italian strategy.
The figures for migrant arrivals in Italy in August show a radical change of direction with respect to the previous months. As of August 30, the number of arrivals stood at 3,194 compared to 21,294 in August 2016. In July the number stood at 11,459 migrants, down from 23,552 in July 2016.
Change of direction from July
The number of migrants arriving in Italy since the start of the year has fallen by 7.62% over the same period in 2016. This translates into 98,407 arrivals compared to 106,523 last year.Interior Minister Marco Minniti acknowledges the result and the support from Europe following Monday's summit. "I feared for the democratic capacity of the country in the face of barricades over the arrival of thousands of foreigners and mayors who were saying 'no'. I realised that the migration flow needed to be governed immediately, and this is what we have done," Minniti said. Italy has been "a trailblazer and Paris understood and approved our work". The minister said the turning point came in mid-July after several thousand migrants were rescued at sea in just a few days. Since then, actions in Libya and in Europe, the code of conduct for NGOs and the drop in numbers have begun to suggest that Italy is on the right path. Further, the figures allegedly also confirm the efforts made by the Libyan navy, which has recently intercepted and taken to shore approximately 700 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean.
Reception centres in Africa with the IOM and UNHCR
Minniti also underlined the importance of European funding to stop the migration flows. It is necessary to spend at least 6 billion euros - the amount spent to stop migration along the Balkan route. He also stressed the role of Libyan mayors, who are "our principal allies". However, Minniti also said that "if a person is fleeing from war and famine I have the duty to receive him as God commands" and backed the introduction in Italy of a new law granting Italian citizenship to foreign children born in Italy under certain circumstances (Ius soli). Another pillar of the Italian strategy is the creation of migrant identification centres in Italy with the collaboration of UNHCR and IOM. "However, the humanitarian needs in Libya surpass our operating capacity," said UNHCR spokesperson for southern Europe, Carlotta Sami.
"Stability needs to be ensured in order to increase our access to all parts of Libya," she added. IOM spokesperson Flavio Di Giacomo has called for the closure of migrant detention centres in Libya and the strengthening of the voluntary assisted return programme for migrants in Libya to their countries of origin. (Picture shows migrants being rescued at sea, (Archive, EPA photo).