The commitments made by the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner during the discussion at Palazzo Chigi align with the goals set by Giorgia Meloni. During the meeting on February 18, the two also addressed "the possible early adoption of the new concept of a safe country of origin."

The Italian Prime Minister is aiming to strengthen the strategy of accelerated return procedures both for her country and across the EU, as well as making sure the basis for her Albania strategy, to process non-vulnerable asylum seekers in Albania instead of directly in Italy, stands firm.

Meloni is already working on measures she hopes will overcome the "obstacles" posed by court rulings that have so far essentially blocked the operation of the Italian asylum processing centers in Shengjin and Gjader in Albania. She has said several times that she will do what it takes to make sure her Albania plan is up and running as soon as possible.

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The need for EU support

Giorgia Meloni spent about an hour talking to the Austrian conservative member of the European Commission. While in Italy, Brunner also met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and Labor Minister Marina Calderone.

Italy's goal is to push for an earlier implementation of the pact, currently set for 2026, and to revise the 2008 Returns Directive. The Italian government has recently given a strong directive to prefects and police chiefs to increase the return of irregular migrants, but it also expects EU support for its efforts.

Meloni is particularly focused on speeding up the EU-level designation of safe countries of origin, a key issue that has so far hindered the expulsion of migrants sent to Albania.

The Protocol between Rome and Tirana has Brunner's support, and regarding this "innovative solution," Palazzo Chigi stated in a press release after the meeting that "it was agreed to maintain close operational coordination between the Commission's services and Italian authorities."

The commissioner is open to "new ideas for managing migration" and is especially convinced that the pact, as currently adopted, "is a great foundation" but "not enough."

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'A common approach to returns'

According to the EPP representative, one of the pact's missing elements is "a common approach to returns.":

Brunner stated that the Commission is working on some changes that will be announced shortly. "We are working on a regulation that I will present very soon, in the coming weeks."

The meeting also covered strengthening partnerships with countries of origin and transit for migrants. This effort must be prioritized "especially on the African continent," emphasized Tajani, who, together with Brunner, reiterated "the political priority of fighting migrant smuggling and managing borders."

Piantedosi and the EU commissioner discussed the importance of "conducting returns to third countries other than the countries of origin and creating European hubs to accommodate all irregular migrants within EU territory," stated an Italian government press release.

The discussion with Calderone focused on the government's commitment to "regular migration for skilled workers, to better align the needs of Italy's economic system with the skills of migrant workers, while also combating irregular migration."

Brunner, who is responsible for strengthening Europe's internal security, also met in Rome with the Director General of the National Cybersecurity Agency, Bruno Frattasi. Topics addressed included the protection of critical infrastructure.