In order to correctly understand the ongoing political debate on the ‘Global Compact for Migration’, reference should be made to the statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, in response to the question and immediate reply by Hon. Giorgia Meloni during the ‘Question Time’ last 21 November quoted below, which induced the Cabinet to further explore the position to assume, also in consideration of the remarks stimulated by the Parliament. The Minister remains convinced that the Parliament’s orientation represents an essential point of reference.
Transcript of the Chamber of Deputies Assembly, session of 21 November 2018:
“ENZO MOAVERO MILANESI, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Mister Speaker, the so-called Global Compact, which is a collection of provisions that are connected to the 2016 New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, will not be a legally binding provision. During the negotiations conducted up to now on this provision in the past months and years, Italy has always kept in mind the importance of achieving the sharing of the burden of managing migration phenomena and of strengthening cooperation with the Countries of origin and of transit. The document incorporates these principles of shared responsibility and principles of partnership with the Countries of origin and transit and the need to combat human traffickers; it also incorporates the obligation for the States of origin to readmit its own citizens. They are elements that we are trying to bring forward, also in the debate with the European Union. As for the orientation to this so-called Global Compact agreement, I remember that the Prime Minister had expressed a favourable opinion thereon; in any case, we will further debate the issue within the Cabinet before eventually proceeding to close the agreement, also taking into consideration the comments stimulated by Parliament.”
