UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Monday in a bid to forge a collaborative response to the rising issue of migrants attempting dangerous crossings to reach European shores by boat, The Associated Press reports.
This encounter comes in the wake of a tragic incident over the weekend, in which at least eight migrants lost their lives off the coast of France.
The agenda for the meeting also includes discussions on Ukraine, encapsulating Starmer’s initiative to mend relationships with European allies following Britain’s contentious departure from the European Union in 2020. Despite their differing political ideologies — Starmer representing the center-left Labour Party and Meloni leading the far-right Brothers of Italy — the two leaders recognize the urgent need to address the escalating migration crisis.
Migration has surged in the UK’s political discourse recently, with over 22,000 people making the perilous journey across the English Channel this year alone, reflecting a slight increase compared to the same period in 2023. Starmer is keen to adopt elements of Italy’s stringent migration policies in hopes of curtailing the influx of migrants fleeing conflict and poverty.
Meloni’s administration has aggressively pursued measures to diminish migrant crossings since she took office in 2022. Her government has forged partnerships with various African nations to obstruct departures, imposed restrictions on humanitarian rescue operations at sea, and intensified efforts to combat human trafficking. Additionally, Italy has established an agreement with Albania to process asylum claims for certain adult male migrants rescued in Italian waters.
Statistics reveal a 60% drop in the number of migrants arriving by boat in Italy during the first half of this year, as reported by the Italian Interior Ministry. Nevertheless, Starmer is eager to learn from Italy’s blend of strict enforcement and international cooperation, even as critics point to the adverse implications of such policies on refugee rights and treatment.
During his visit, Starmer toured Italy’s National Coordination Center for Immigration in Rome alongside the newly appointed UK Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt. London has stressed that Hewitt will collaborate with law enforcement and intelligence agencies both domestically and across Europe to dismantle people-smuggling networks.
Upon taking office in July, Starmer promptly abandoned the Conservative government’s controversial plan to deport asylum-seekers who crossed the Channel to Rwanda, labeling it an ineffective and costly scheme. While he has dismissed the idea of rejoining the EU, Starmer is focused on fostering stronger security ties and cooperation with neighboring European nations.
The Rome meeting follows Starmer’s recent visits to Paris, Berlin, and Dublin, as part of his broader strategy to strengthen relationships with European allies strained by Brexit.
