Protecting the European Union's external borders is the only way to safeguard free movement within them. This was the central position reaffirmed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a bilateral summit at Palazzo Chigi with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. The wide-ranging meeting touched on energy security and the war in Ukraine but culminated in strong alignment on managing migration flows and securing the future of the Schengen zone following a challenging summer.
"I remain firmly convinced that the best way to preserve the Schengen area is by defending our external borders and ensuring every member state does its part against human traffickers and mass illegal immigration," declared Meloni. She highlighted full strategic alignment with De Wever, emphasizing shared efforts - such as the recent Chișinău Declaration - to streamline the implementation of international framework agreements, including the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Belgian Prime Minister backed Italy's approach, acknowledging the crucial role played by frontline nations: "Europe must step up and reinforce its southern Mediterranean border, not just the eastern one." For De Wever, long-term success hinges on a unified EU framework: "We must deliver a comprehensive European migration package that establishes a truly credible returns policy."