Italy's premier slams EU for ‘inadequate’ action on migration

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) – Italy’s prime minister said Thursday that the recent evacuations from Afghanistan once again revealed the inadequacy of the European Union in handling the migration issue.

“The EU, united in many principles, cannot face this problem, and this is a problem with the Union’s existence,” Mario Draghi said during a news conference.

Recalling incidents that took place during the evacuations from Afghanistan, he said: “There are countries that say ‘we don’t want immigrants’ in the face of this terrible tragedy. I don’t know if you remember, but how are you going to do that?”

As the term president of the G20 summit in 2021, Draghi noted that he continues to consider holding an extraordinary summit specifically on Afghanistan and maintains contacts for this purpose.

In a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Marseilles on Thursday evening, the leaders will discuss issues related to Afghanistan, bilateral relations, the EU and Libya, Draghi said.

Deadly blasts outside Kabul airport last Thursday killed at least 170 people, including 13 US soldiers, and wounded dozens of others.

Daesh/ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attacks, according to a statement by the group.

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on Aug. 15, forcing President Ashraf Ghani and other top officials to flee the country.

The group is in the process of forming an Afghan government, which they are expected to formally announce on Friday.

*Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara