EU leaders meet in Paris to discuss stopping illegal migration
At French President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation, the leaders of Germany, Italy, Spain, Niger, Chad and Libya convene in Paris today.
Finding a solution to Europe’s migrant woes will top the agenda. With warring factions in Libya unlikely to lay down their arms anytime soon, the EU will likely work to entice the governments of both Niger and Chad—both of which border Libya—to prevent migrants from reaching the North African country, which they then use as a waystation into Italy.
Yet, Italy has seen a drop in migrants, with over 10,000 fewer arriving in July—usually a peak month—than June. Interior Minister Marco Minniti said he is at last “beginning to see the light at [the tunnel’s] end”. No doubt the ruling Democratic Party hopes so ahead of next year’s general election.
Expect the EU to try keeping migrant figures down. According to estimates, more would-be migrants already die attempting to cross the Sahara than the Mediterranean. So, while the migrants come by sea, their flow may be staunched by land.
