Review asylum in third countries: Merz and Meloni call for solidarity on migration

During his visit to Rome, Chancellor Merz promised Italian Prime Minister Meloni that Germany would no longer put the brakes on stricter European migration rules. The Italian model of conducting asylum procedures in third countries would also be examined.

During his inaugural visit to Rome, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocated cooperation with third countries to curb irregular migration to Europe. "We agreed to tackle irregular migration to the European Union more decisively than before," Merz said at a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

"I also want to say on behalf of the new German federal government: We will no longer put the brakes on when it comes to solving the problems in the European Union," the Chancellor added. "Above all, we want to quickly implement new, restrictive European asylum rules."

On the topic of so-called secondary migration, he and Meloni agreed "that we also want to deepen cooperation with third countries in this context," Merz continued. "The initiatives launched by Italy in recent months, especially with some Mediterranean countries, have been extraordinarily successful. These are good initiatives that we also support in Germany."

Legal problems with the Albania model

Italy has concluded an agreement with EU candidate Albania to send refugees intercepted in the Mediterranean to reception centers on Albanian soil. The refugees are to remain in the reception centers while their asylum applications are processed. This approach is controversial and has also encountered legal problems.

"We are aware of the difficulties, including the court decisions that have arisen in Italy, for example with regard to cooperation with Albania," Merz said at the press conference with Meloni. "But this can of course still be an option." The coalition agreement included "that we want to examine such a model." "This is certainly not the solution to the problem," the Chancellor emphasized. "It is a contribution to reducing the problem, but it is not the solution to the problem."

At their meeting, Merz and far-right politician Meloni emphasized the good relations between the two countries. "Germany and Italy have been closely linked by a deep friendship for decades," said the Chancellor.