Over 1,200 migrants arrived to southern Italy as crisis continues

Over 1,200 migrants arrived to southern Italy as crisis continues

2011-05-14 01:23:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

ROME, ITALY (BNO NEWS) -- The Italian Foreign Ministry on Friday announced that over 1,200 North African migrants arrived overnight to southern Italy where the situation remains critical, ANSA news agency reported.

The asylum-seekers reached the shores of Lampedusa Island in the Mediterranean on six boats. So far, approximately 30,000 people have landed in the small island following the unrests in Libya and Tunisia said Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.

In addition, Frattini added that one boat launched an SOS call during the night before all trace of it was lost. NATO later rescued another boat carrying 150 people near Tripoli, which was about to capsize.

Italy and Tunisia reached an agreement in regards to the repatriation of migrants. The Italian government offered a credit-and-aid package worth some 250 million Euros ($354 million) to help the Tunisian government with the migrant crisis.

Furthermore, the Italian government have criticized the lack of support from the European Union on the issue. Despite the aid received, Frattini and Interior Minister Roberto Maroni called again on Friday for more EU support.

On May 4, the EU presented a series of measures aimed at solving the migrant crisis including strengthening border control and Schengen governance, completing the Common European Asylum System and a more targeted legal migration.

Previously, France and Italy called for changes to the Schengen Treaty to solve the crisis. The agreement established a borderless zone between the 25 countries of the European Union.

Since the beginning of February, the island of Lampedusa has been overwhelmed by the arrival of around 30,000 migrants. This amount is more than double the number of residents.

"A month ago the European Union promised initiatives that still have not been adopted and refugees continue to arrive from Libya," concluded Minister Maroni.

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