Migrants: Italy, European humanitarian corridors with EU funds

(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, FEBRUARY 01 - "We call for the development of European humanitarian corridors, coordinated and financed by the European Commission, as a way of guaranteeing safe and legal access to Europe for vulnerable people, while fighting human trafficking".

This is what Italy is asking for in a 'non paper' circulated in view of next week's extraordinary European Council, seen by ANSA.

"We are also convinced that specific national schemes for the well-monitored granting of work permits or study visas could be extraordinarily effective in stimulating the cooperation of third countries", it continues.

    The EU Council should ask for "a rapid implementation" of the European Commission's initiative on the promotion of "closer cooperation" between States, even when it comes to operations "conducted by private vessels, such as merchant and NGOs, flying the flag of Member States and Associates".

   "As most of these activities involve cross-border cooperation with countries other than the ships' flag states, a general framework of agreed guidelines would facilitate cooperation," it reads.

    "We are all aware that relocations do not represent the structural solution to migratory flows. But in the short term they remain a necessary tool to give solidarity a significant and concrete image. However, to be effective, they require significant improvements compared to the voluntary mechanism, which is still far from being be fully implemented".

(HANDLE).