Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed surprise at the German government’s financial assistance to organizations that provide support to illegal immigrants in Italy and the Mediterranean, Italian media reported on Monday, September 25.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed surprise at the German government’s financial assistance to organizations that provide support to illegal immigrants in Italy and the Mediterranean, Italian media reported on Monday, September 25.
“I have learned with astonishment that your administration, without coordinating this move with the Italian government, has decided, as it is claimed, to support non-governmental organizations involved in the reception of illegal immigrants in Italian territory and rescues in the Mediterranean, with significant funding,” on September 23 in a letter dated Meloni pointed out to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The German Foreign Ministry explained on Friday that by providing support to these organizations, the parliament’s decision is being fulfilled.
The first part of the funding of 400,000 to 800,000 euros will be allocated to a project for care operations on land and a project that helps illegal immigrants at sea.
Germany’s support for organizations operating on Italian territory raises questions, the Prime Minister stated in the letter.
In addition, there has been no coordination with the Italian government, Meloni emphasized, adding that the government of any European Union (EU) country interested in providing specific support to Italy should find structural solutions.
As an example, Meloni mentioned the work on the EU initiative with transit countries in North Africa.
The Italian government has been increasingly vocal in its opposition to Berlin in recent days.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crozeto has also spoken about Germany’s “very serious” behavior.
