Three NGO ships with more than 1,000 people on board are waiting to dock off the Italian coast, but Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi are firmly refusing German demands that the ships dock in Italian ports. Rome’s foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday that it had previously sent a verbal note to […]

Flying German flags should indicate Germany’s responsibility for migrants on those ships.

“If it intends to act in international waters, then it must also take responsibility for the choices made by the ships flying its flag,” said Ciriani who added, “We cannot accept that Germany decides for us.”

“If Germany believes that there is a humanitarian problem, it should take care of it, Italy cannot become the refuge of all immigrants,”

16 percent of people arriving on Italian shores are transported via NGO boats, while local authorities are required to assist the remaining 84 percent.