"The European Commission and EU Member States are working together, making further progress on a migration pact which is the long-term solution for our challenges, but we are also working in close coordination for emergency solutions to face irregular arrivals and to manage the situation", declared in Brussels Ylva Johansson, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Czech Minister of Interior, Vit Rakušan, arriving at the extraordinary meeting dedicated to migration, in reference to the possibility of opening screening centres for asylum seekers in Africa, noted: "It is one of the subjects we'll address. It has not been discussed yet but it is one of the possible solutions. Today should open an initial discussion on different topics among the countries with a view to December's Council meeting", he explained. "It will be the last one under Czech Presidency: we want to see concrete results and we shall have them".

When asked about the tensions over migrants between Italy and France, Rakušan said: "We have the impression that the tension is already over" and "it is also for this that we meet today. Italy has a new government, we will welcome the new colleague and of course we want to hear about Italy's position but we have worked a great deal on the preparation of this meeting, we've spoken to the countries" — says Italian news agency ANSA.

Yet Paris, responded that "if Italy does not let the ships enter [its territory] and does not accept maritime law and (the rule) on safe port - noted Gerald Darmanin, French Minister of the Interior as he arrived at the meeting - there is no reason why the countries that implement relocation should be France and Germany, which are those who let ships in and those who directly accept migrants from Africa and Asia".

Africa Czech republic Europe Italy Migrants Migration