(Reuters) Italy will support the creation of a European Union naval mission to patrol maritime borders, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told parliament on Wednesday.
“Italy will support … the creation of a European naval mission, in agreement and cooperation with the North African authorities,” Meloni told the Senate ahead of a meeting of European Union leaders.
She also said Italy wanted the EU to increase its funds made available to tackle mass illegal immigration in its multi-year budget for 2021-2027, as Rome deals with surging migrant boat arrivals on its southern shores.
