Prime Ministers of Italy and Poland averred on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 that the European Union should prioritize halting illegal migration instead of trying to persuade the 27 member nations to share responsibility for people who arrive without authorization.

Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, made a trip to Warsaw for a meeting with her conservative Polish counterpart, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The agenda for Morawiecki and Meloni’s talks also included regional security in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which is seeking NATO security guarantees. NATO’s 31 members have a summit scheduled in Lithuania next week.

Italy is keen on reducing the number of illegal migrants as it is one of the first stops for asylum-seekers who cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe.

Last week, Poland and Hungary vetoed a statement by EU leaders on priorities for limiting arrivals.

The two countries also voted against a June 8 agreement that balanced the obligations of front-line countries against the requirement for other member nations to provide support.

The governments in Warsaw and Budapest insist that preventing people from entering the EU is a better approach.

In a press conference after her talks with Morawiecki, Meloni opined that the bloc will never be able to “find a real solution” to the situation once migrants are already in Europe.

“I believe our position is substantially the same. We want to stop illegal immigration,” Meloni said. Referring to the Polish government’s position, she added, “I could never complain about those who defend their national interests.”

“I admire the strength Morawiecki has shown in defending Poland’s interests. There is no division because we are working on how to stop illegal immigration, not on how to manage things when migrants arrive in Europe.”
Giorgia Meloni

Morawiecki, on his part, noted that it was “fundamental” to his government to have the EU’s external borders “insulated.”

The Prime Minister of Poland stated that his government is opposed to a provision in the June agreement that calls for fining countries that refuse to host a share of asylum-seekers 20,000 euros ($21,400) per person.

Poland has taken in millions of war refugees from Ukraine, about 1.2 million of whom have registered and received the right to live, work, attend school and receive social benefits.

Poland To Hold Referendum On Accepting Illegal Migrants

Also, Morawiecki disclosed that his government would organize a referendum this year asking Poles for their opinion on accepting migrants who entered the EU illegally.

“The EU’s priority should be the security of (Member) countries,” he added.

“If we do not control illegal immigration, we’ll risk seeing on our streets what we are seeing now in other Member States,” Morawiecki said, apparently referring to the unrest in France.

The main ruling party in Poland, the conservative Law and Justice, has moved to change Poland’s election law to allow the referendum at the same time as the next parliamentary election, expected in the fall.

Meloni said she had “respect for the hypothesis of consulting one’s citizens about an issue that is sensitive for the security of one’s nation.

“There is a gradual change of pace (on migration) at the European Council, thanks in part to Italy.

“We know we can count on the Polish position on this. We’ll continue to work together to find solutions that are effective for everyone.”
Giorgia Meloni

The two leaders also addressed a meeting of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, an alliance of the EU Parliament. At the EU level, Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party and Morawiecki’s Law and Justice group both belong to the European Conservatives and Reformists Party.