More EU aid possible amid Italian threat to stop migrant rescues

EUObserver reported on the 17 June 2014 that the European Commission was open to requests for further financial assistance to member states under migratory pressure from people fleeing conflicts in Africa and the Middle East.

The statement appears after Italy’s interior minister Angelino Alfano warned on the day before that Italian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea would cease unless the EU intervened.

Subsequent reports highlighted the continuing incidence of large number of desperate people risking their lives in crossing the waters between North Africa and Italy and adjacent countries.

For example, on the 30 June 2014 the bodies of 30 migrants were transported to Sicily by the Italian navy, while around 5,000 people were saved from boats bound for Italy.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU border surveillance system not helping to save lives http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-border-surveillance-system-not-helping-to-save-lives/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on EU Return Policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-eu-return-policy/

BBC News, 16.06.14: Italy warns Mediterranean migrant rescues may end http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27878346

BBC News, 30.06.14: Italy finds 30 bodies in migrant boat http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28082969

The Guardian, 30.06.14: Thirty dead bodies found on migrant boat bound for Italy http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/30/thirty-dead-bodies-found-migrant-boat-italy

EurActiv, 30.06.14: Italy rescues migrants and finds 30 bodies in boat http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/italy-rescues-migrants-and-finds-30-bodies-boat-303153

The Local.it, 30.06.14: 'No new funds for Italy migration': Malmström http://www.thelocal.it/20140630/no-new-funds-for-migration-in-italy-malmstrom

The Local.it, 30.06.14: 30 migrants die as 5,000 are saved http://www.thelocal.it/20140630/30-migrants-die-as-5000-are-saved

European Commission: RAPID: STATEMENT/14/213: Commissioner Malmström deplores the recent loss of life in the Mediterranean and calls for more EU action http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-213_en.pdf

La Repubblica, 01.07.14: Europe capitulates to immigrant smugglers (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE145996-Europe-capitulates-to-immigrant-smugglers

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 01.07.14: Strengthening EU border security won’t stop the deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean http://bit.ly/1sSOG9H

EurActiv, 02.07.14: German president attacks EU refugee policy http://www.euractiv.com/sections/social-europe-jobs/german-president-attacks-eu-refugee-policy-303219

BBC News, 05.07.14: The gruesome truth behind an idyllic scene http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28159997

EUObserver, 07.07.14: Italy: struggling to make itself heard on migration http://euobserver.com/justice/124876

Der Standard, 09.07.14: Europe still building its fortress (via Euro!Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE146470-Europe-still-building-its-fortress

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