France, Italy will pursue EU migration changes

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte agreed Friday to work together to pursue changes to the European Union’s migration rules, finding common ground after the issue created a rift between their countries.

The two leaders said during a joint news conference that EU regulations requiring asylumseekers to apply in the first country they enter and remain there while their cases are processed were not working.

Macron said the policy and others have left Italy, usually the first European country reached on the busy migration route across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa, without the support that is supposed to be a benefit of a united Europe.

“The proper response is European, but the existing European response has not adapted,” said the French leader, who is seen as strongly pro-EU.

Conte, who heads the populist, anti-EU government that took over running Italy on June 1, echoed the politician he called “my friend Emmanuel.”

“The concept itself of the ‘state of first entry’ must be rethought. He who puts his feet in Italy puts his feet in Europe,” said Conte, who was a law professor before he became premier.

They also both called for steps to beef up Europe’s borders to prevent illegal immigration.

Macron cited a French initiative to establish “protection missions” that prescreen asylumseekers in Chad and Niger.