Undersecretary Mantovano, one of PM Meloni's closest allies, stated that “human trafficking cannot be stopped with police officers on the beaches, but with a comprehensive strategy”
The Italian government will organize an international conference in Rome in July to discuss development projects in the Southern Mediterranean area and North Africa, with Gulf countries willing to contribute. This was announced by Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, one of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s closest allies, in an interview with the Catholic magazine Tempi.
- “Human trafficking cannot be stopped with police officers on the beaches, but with a comprehensive strategy,” he stated.
- In October, the Italian government will present its Mattei Plan for Africa during the Italy-Africa intergovernmental summit.
The Meloni government is working with MENA region governments on managing migration flows. Undersecretary Mantovano has urged pragmatism from the International Monetary Fund regarding a $1.9 billion loan to the Tunisian government.
- The “difficulties” faced by Tunisia and Libya “are part of a context in which Western solidarity leaves much to be desired. In a month, the Tunisian government will no longer have money to pay public employees, including the police: therefore, migrants will depart from ports managed solely by criminal organizations,” he said.
- “Without the resources from the loan, rights will be even less respected” by the Tunisian government, he added. “It’s a vicious circle that needs to be broken because it’s ideological.”
