Following Italy’s Prime Minister letter to Brussels; the European Commission has welcomed the proposal on migrants by Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

After the letter written by Italian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Home affairs to protest the construction of the Austrian Brenner barrier, this new communication aims at putting together a comprehensive strategy, so to address the various critical issues raised by migrations.

Rome also wants to convince governments of other EU countries to share applicants as proposed by the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.

For more information on Austria’s  barrier against migrants, read “EU Asks Austria for Explanations while Migrants Surge in Italy.”

Renzi’s Plan for Migration

Italy sent a proposal to limit the flow of Migrants, called “Migration Compact”, to the Presidents of the Commission and the European Council, Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk. The document delineates a framework agreement between countries of origin and transit. The plan also includes the possibility of involving Libya in this initiative, as its role could be strategic.

A big financial commitment by the EU will be required, which could be fulfilled with a redistribution of resources already allocated from the EU budget, as well as with Eurobonds. However the Commission states that no anticipation on the development of the Eurobond issue will be made at this point.

“Much has been done, but we must do much more, quickly, if we want to avert the worsening of a systemic crisis,” reads Renzi’s letter accompanying the ‘migration compact’ proposal.

As for the EU – Turkey agreement, Renzi ventilates another migration deal, since this “should not remain an isolated event.”

Read “EU-Turkey deal: is Europe doing the right thing?” for more information.

The European Commission Approach

“The European Commission always supported the idea, as when it comes to financing the migration you have to be imaginative. We have taken note of the Italian proposal,” chief spokesperson Margaritis Schinas was quoted as saying by New Europe.

As said by the spokesperson, President Jean-Claude Juncker was glad to see that Italy and the Italian Prime Minister itself support the European approach on migration, which he is advocating since his election as the President of the Commission.

Indeed, the European Commission is convinced that only a stronger European approach, covering both internal and external EU policies, can manage migratory flows.

It also says that a spirit of enhanced solidarity and the return to a fully functional Schengen system are needed, as: “The EU needs to manage its external borders together, provide safety for refugees in need of protection, offer legal ways for migrants to come to Europe and keep out internal borders open,” added the spokeswoman.