Meloni: "Europe has a responsibility towards the Western Balkans"

At the EU-Western Balkans summit in Iran, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni raises the issue of migrants.

"I think we have a great responsibility with the countries of the Western Balkans, especially after the Russian aggression on Ukraine.

. There are many issues on which we must work together, from the economy to cybersecurity, on which Italy is fully committed. We will try to do our best, also on roaming and other matters under discussion. You can count on Italy", said the Italian prime minister who also expressed a

until 31 December 2023'.

'"We welcome the European Commission's decision to authorize it - he said - I thank Ministers Fitto and Calderone for the work they have carried out. It is a commitment we made during the electoral campaign and which we have kept - he underlines - The will continue to work, in concert with the European institutions, to make this measure structural".

Giorgia Meloni had a chat with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

before taking her place on stage with the other leaders.

Walking along the red carpet, Meloni and Orban spoke for a few minutes, while behind them, a few steps away, French President Emmanuel Macron advanced together with two other leaders, including Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger.

Then Meloni took his place in the lineup for the photo, in the third row between Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, president of Kosovo, and Robert Golob, prime minister of Slovenia.

, standing in front of her.

After the family photo, the leaders watched the music and dance show, with a performance of traditional dances and another to the rhythm of hip hop staged by a group of young dancers wearing blue overalls like the flag of Europe and the twelve stars.

Back at the summit venue, Meloni walked the red carpet together with the president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, also speaking with the prime minister of Malta, Robert Abela.

Firm intervention by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

, upon his arrival at the EU-Balkans summit Westerners, inviting the six countries of the region to take a stand against authoritarian states such as Russia and China.

"Russia and China are trying to exert influence in the region, but the EU is the biggest investor and the closest partner for the Western Balkans," explained von der Leyen.

As for the migrants - he added - "we have a strong shared interest in cooperating closely on all aspects: it is a matter of managing immigration together".

"You can count on our support to deal with border management and the asylum and migration process", assured von der Leyen speaking of immigration as "a long-standing challenge".