EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged the swift return of irregular migrants and a crackdown on the 'brutal business' of migrant smuggling Sunday during a visit with Italy's premier to a tiny fishing island overwhelmed with nearly 7,000 arrivals in a single day this week.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, left, and Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni, right, address the media during a joint press conference following a visit of the island of Lampedusa in Italy, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni on Sunday toured a migrant centre on Italy’s southernmost island of Lampedusa that was overwhelmed with nearly 7,000 arrivals in a 24-hour period this week.
Von der Leyen's vow to crack down on "this brutal business" of migrant smuggling and help Italy to cope with the spike in arrivals as part of a 10-point plan appeared to stop short of a naval blockade, at least a quick one. She also pledged the Frontex border agency's support in ensuring "the swift return of migrants to their country of origin" who don't qualify to stay in the EU, working with the countries of origin.
"If we don't work seriously all together to fight the illegal departures, the numbers of this phenomenon will not only overwhelm the border countries, but all of the others," Meloni said.
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