British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome to discuss illegal immigration following a tragic shipwreck in the English Channel that claimed eight lives. Starmer, who leads the center-left Labour Party, has expressed his commitment to tackling illegal immigration, a contentious issue in British politics.
During his visit, Starmer toured a national immigration coordination center with Italy’s Interior Minister and praised Italy’s success in reducing migrant arrivals. The meeting between Starmer and Meloni comes at a time of heightened tensions in the UK, with far-right riots erupting in response to immigration issues.
Starmer’s rejection of the previous government’s plan to deport undocumented migrants to Rwanda has sparked interest in Italy’s approach to managing migration. Italy has established centers in Albania to process asylum claims, prioritizing relocation for approved applicants and repatriation for those denied asylum.
Starmer’s trip has drawn criticism, but his focus on prevention as a key strategy to address illegal migration reflects a proactive approach. With migrant arrivals to Italy decreasing significantly this year, cooperation and agreements between countries like Italy and Tunisia have shown promise in managing migration flows.
Despite challenges and criticism, Starmer’s diplomatic efforts underscore the importance of international collaboration in addressing complex migration issues.