FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Italy's government is considering a new, development-focused approach to prevent migrants from trying to cross the Mediterranean from Africa. Analysts say that if the plan succeeds, it could serve as a model for all of Europe. VOA correspondent Henry Wilkins says residents on the Italian island of Lampedusa, where thousands of migrants washed ashore in a single week last year, are welcoming the approach.
Partenico Vincenzo was out fishing one morning in 2022 when he saw a boat with 24 migrants trying to cross from Africa to Europe. He sailed towards them and suddenly the immigrants started heading towards his boat. The only solution was to help them, he says.
"I thought about their families. I thought for a long time about the fact that we are only in this world once and we should help each other. I tried to help them as much as I could" , says Partenico Vincenzo, fisherman.
Fisherman Vincenzo is not the only resident of Lampedusa who has become an accidental rescuer of immigrants on the high seas. Fishermen in this country, alongside the Italian authorities, rescue immigrants almost every day.
Around 95,000 migrants have arrived on the island over the past 12 months, as of June 1, 2023.
Since January, the Italian government has begun implementing a new policy known as the "Mattei Plan" in an effort to stem the tide of immigrants.
Italy hopes that the plan will reformulate its relations with Africa, promoting development and creating jobs and to prevent the emigration of people from their countries of origin.
"It is about using public funds to improve the investment climate. Africa needs investments", says Maddalena Procopio, European Council on External Relations.
Solving the issue of irregular migration is the main concern of Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, who must try to make concessions to the far-right voters who elected her to this position two years ago.
If it works, analysts say, this development-oriented approach to stem the tide of immigration could set an example for the rest of Europe.
"No individual state can compete with other international actors such as China and the Gulf states," says Mrs. Procopio.
On the island of Lampedusa, which is closer to Tunisia and Libya than the rest of Italy, activists say something needs to change.
Activist Matilda Etzaco from the organization Maldusa, an organization in favor of immigrants, says that the current situation is unacceptable.
"What has been happening over the years with people coming through the Mediterranean Sea should not happen. It's very dangerous - many, many people are dying as a result, many people are losing their relatives and friends ," she says.
She expresses her dissatisfaction with the policies of Italy and some European countries, which finance the security forces of African countries to constantly turn back immigrants.
Mr Vincenzo says he would prefer more cooperation to end dangerous sea journeys and find ways to ease the pressure on islanders.
"For me it's a very normal thing so that we don't see deaths at sea anymore. I am convinced that if the international community reaches an agreement on this issue, many victims could be avoided. "
Officials say more than 3,000 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean over the past year. Activists believe that the deaths of many others have not been reported./ VOA
Lini një Përgjigje