Meloni Hails EU Migrant Returns Regulation as 'Great Success'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni celebrated the European Parliament's approval of the new Returns Regulation, calling it a "great success" for Italy. The legislation, which she described as a historic achievement largely driven by the Italian government, aims to streamline the repatriation of migrants who do not have the right to remain in the European Union.

Speaking from the G7 summit, Meloni highlighted that the regulation will enable the rapid return of individuals without legal status in the EU. A key component of the new rules is the provision for establishing migrant repatriation centers in countries outside the EU, a model Italy has already pursued with an agreement with Albania. This approach is intended to facilitate quicker deportations.

The European Parliament voted in favor of the legal text for the Returns Regulation, which includes provisions for creating these third-country deportation centers and accelerating the deportation process. Meloni's government has been a strong proponent of stricter migration policies, and this EU-level agreement aligns with those objectives.