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Five EU Countries Agree to Take in Migrants, Ending Standoff in Sicilian Port

Sabina Castelfranco

   ROME - A number of European nations have agreed to take in more than
   100 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean last week. Italy had refused
   to allow the migrants on the coast guard vessel Gregoretti to
   disembark, and the ship had remained in the port of Augusta for days
   awaiting a decision.

   The latest standoff involving Italy not allowing migrants to disembark
   in its ports after they have been rescued at sea has come to an end.
   Interior Minister Matteo Salvini agreed to the disembarkation of the
   100 migrants still on board the Gregoretti vessel of the Italian coast
   guard after his conditions were met. Only minors and those who needed
   urgent health attention had been allowed to disembark earlier.
   Salvini had made it very clear that until an agreement was reached for
   the redistribution of migrants at an EU level, they would not be
   allowed off the ship, which remained docked in the Sicilian port of
   Augusta for five days.
   Salvini said the problem was been resolved, as five European nations --
   Germany, Portugal, France, Luxembourg and Ireland, in addition to some
   facilities belonging to Italian bishops, will take in the 116 migrants
   on board this ship.
   Salvini has long been saying that Europe cannot continue to ignore the
   problem of the constant flow of migrants arriving on Italian shores as
   they attempt to cross over from Libya. Many Italians agree with Salvini
   that Rome alone cannot be the only one dealing with the problem.
   

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