“At eye level”: Meloni promises Africa “a place of honor” at the G7 summit

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Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Monday at the start of an Africa summit in Rome that the fate of Europe and Africa in particular are closely linked. Considering colonial history, she added that what is needed today is “cooperation at eye level.” The incumbent president of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, expressed hope for expanded investments.

According to official information, heads of state and government from more than twenty African countries came to Rome for the meeting. Other African states were represented by the ministries of foreign affairs. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel participated on behalf of the EU. Italy has been doing business within the G7 since the beginning of this year. Meloni assured that Africa would be given a “place of honor” at the G7 summit of heads of state and government in mid-June.

Von der Leyen once again spoke out in favor of joint efforts in the fight against smuggling gangs that bring people across the Mediterranean to Europe at great risk. “The best way is to join forces against criminals,” said the president of the German Commission. “And at the same time create legal alternatives to the deadly smuggling routes.” On the way to Europe – often with barely seaworthy boats – disasters keep happening in the Mediterranean.

Italy is one of the countries where a particularly large number of migrants enter the EU. Last year, more than 160,000 people from Africa disembarked after crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Meloni, the leader of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, promised during the election campaign to reduce the number of newcomers. In fact, it has increased significantly since she took office in October 2022. With various international agreements, she now wants to ensure that there are fewer refugees and migrants. (SDA)

Source: Blick