Italy’s conservative prime minister and Denmark’s centre-left leader said tighter returns policies alone are “not enough”, arguing that respect for European laws must go hand in hand with respect for European values.
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, together with Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen, have issued a joint call for a firmer European stance on migration, uniting leaders from contrasting political backgrounds.
In “A joint message for Europe,” dated August 10, the conservative head of Italy and the centre-left Danish leader emphasized the necessity to both reduce unchecked migration and safeguard Europe’s Christian cultural roots. They stated, “We do not accept uncontrolled immigration to Europe.”
This statement follows a letter led by Denmark and Italy endorsed by 22 EU nations after approximately 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta. The letter criticized Spain’s immigration strategy and cautioned that the conflict posed risks to the Schengen zone’s stability.
Meloni and Frederiksen highlighted that mass migration has put additional strain on public services and has been linked to increases in crime, including acts of violence, drug trafficking, and sexual offenses, undermining public confidence in leadership and institutions.
They referenced attempts to clarify how international human rights apply to deportations, referencing the newly established EU Return Regulation and its plan for return centers in third countries. They pledged to keep seeking “innovative solutions.”
However, the duo stressed that tougher return measures alone would not suffice. They argued, “Respect for our laws must go hand in hand with respect for European values,” applying this stance to both legal and unauthorized migration.
The leaders connected migration policy with cultural integration, asserting that newcomers to Europe should honor the values of their host nations. They did not suggest a comprehensive test for assimilation.
“We are both proud of the Christian cultural heritage of Europe and we want to protect it,” they affirmed. They also noted that those who settle in Europe should embrace its values rather than attempting to impose lifestyles the leaders declared were at odds with their own.
By framing stricter border and return policies as intertwined with preserving Europe’s cultural identity, Meloni and Frederiksen aimed to expand their argument beyond immigration control, demonstrating that this viewpoint bridges Europe’s conventional political spectrum.
Original article: europeanconservative.com
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