On 1-2 July 2015, Luxembourg Minister for Immigration and Asylum Jean Asselborn was in Rome at the invitation of Italy's Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni.
Minister Asselborn met with Gentiloni, as well as several other Italian representatives, such as Minister for the Interior, Angelino Alfano, and Secretary of State for European Affairs, Sandro Gozi.
Discussions between Minister Asselborn and the Italian Ministers centred on the priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) on the matter of immigration. Talks focused on the current migration situation in the Mediterranean and the fight against human trafficking, with particular attention paid to the relocation and resettlement of refugees in European countries, and the EU support system available to help control and manage migratory flows.
During his trip, Minister Asselborn also visited the rescue and Reception Centre (CSPA) for migrants, on the island of Lampedusa. The centre, which has been operating since 1998 and was originally designed to hold 400 migrants, currently hosts nearly 800. On 1 July 2015, 200 new migrants arrived to the centre. The Minister also met with the Mayor of Lampedusa, Giusi Nicolini to discuss the refugee crisis, before meeting Italian coast guards. He was able to witness firsthand the poor conditions in which some 360 Libyan refugees currently live.
Talks between the two parties also reviewed the strong bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Italy, whilst dealing with the current issues in both European and international politics. The Ministers also addressed the current situation in Ukraine, with regard to relations between the EU and Russia.
Photos by Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs
(Top: Jean Asselborn at Lampedusa migrant Reception Centre (CSPA))
(Bottom: L-R - Luxembourg Minister for Immigration and Asylum, Jean Asselborn ; Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Paolo Gentiloni)
