Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar shared their concerns over the difficulty of engaging some European partners to cooperate on the heated topic of migration during a May 19 visit in Rome.

Like Italy, Slovenia struggles with complex migration issues due to its situation along the popular so-called "Balkan route".

'A unified and organic EU policy on the matter of migration is needed'

President Mattarella, during the meeting, underlined how "until now it has been difficult to involve European partners in a fruitful manner."

For years, Mattarella has been urging EU leaders to consider migration an emergency requiring the assistance of the entire continent.

On Friday, Mattarella reiterated that "realizing a common European policy on migration is indispensable."

Along with his comments on migration, the Italian President addressed another vital issue for Italy's foreign policy: the rapid entry of the western Balkans into the Union.

'Yes to the entry of Western Balkan countries into the EU'

Internal tensions in Kosovo, relations with Serbia and Russian interference in the area are major points of concern for both Slovenia and Italy.

Mattarella said that, like Musar, he supports the entrance of Western Balkan countries into the European Union, a move he said would bring about increased stability in the region.

According to Mattarella, "it is a useful political investment and a necessary historic choice."

He added: "Slowing down the EU accession process is a serious error".