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EU steps up assistance to Italy on coping with immigrants

Xinhua, February 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Commission announced on Thursday that it is stepping up its assistance to Italy on coping with immigrants.

The commission said in a statement said that the EU's Joint Operation Triton, efforts to manage migration in the Central Mediterranean, will be extended until at least the end of 2015.

Besides, the European Commission has provided an amount of 13.7 million euros (15.6 million U.S. dollars) in emergency funding from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund to Italy.

The European Commission also said that it stands ready to react quickly to any Italian request to increase the resources of Joint Operation Triton.

EU Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: "We are working hard to prepare a comprehensive approach in a new European Agenda on Migration to be presented this year."

Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said: "As we work to tackle the dramatic situation in Libya, we have decided to step up our partnership with third countries along the main migratory routes."

Measures have been undertaken to support Italy in the framework of the migration and asylum policy, following the 2013 Lampedusa tragedy in which 366 migrants lost their lives, the EU statement said. Endit