Immigration and terrorism at the centre of great international summits

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1 Immigration and terrorism at the centre of great international summits On the agenda of the 2017 meetings held at all levels among world leading nations G7, G20, EU and NATO Summits issues related to the emergence of migratory flows on the coasts of the Mediterranean and the risk of terrorist attacks assumed a key role by Claudia Svampa A common motto from February to June characterised the most significant summits and meetings that in the first half of 2017 brought together world leaders: the heated international debate on the emergence of migratory flows en route to the Italian ports and the risk of terrorist attacks in the western world. A global chess game between heads of State and governments, in which Italy has always played a key role without, to date, being able to provide the expected results, that is the unambiguous and adherent solution to the demands of the European Union, with regard to the colossal exodus of immigrants who cross the central Mediterranean ceaselessly and land on our coasts. With huge losses of human lives at sea, the tragedies that are now routine, risk becoming a daily chronicle of landings and no longer a horror of repeated shipwrecks. The Warsaw Summit is the last, in chronological order and to date, that has dealt with Italy s endless concerns about the management of flows, ranking at the top of the agenda s list. Let us therefore review the first half of the year through the conclusions of the various international meetings. Warsaw Summit The last appointment, on 11 July, was the Warsaw Summit at the Frontex headquarters, where Italy asked for a review of the rules of the Triton mission, so that the vessels engaged in the operations can support the landings of immigrants who are also rescued in other ports of the EU Member States, if migrant arrivals should increase in the coming months. Further to the issue raised, there still lies the fact - also reiterated by Frontex - that Triton is a mission guided by the Italian Coast Guard and Italian officers, and although it is possible to foresee the entry of other countries, it is still technically difficult. The working group set up for this purpose will therefore aim to verify what can be revised in the Triton mission following the decisions taken at political level, also in view of the fact that Fabrice Leggeri, director of the European Border Agency, has requested EU countries to maintain the commitments adopted to strengthen Triton. G20 Summit in Hamburg

2 The appointment in Hamburg, Germany, on 7 and 8 July involved the G20 leaders to discuss the theme on: "giving shape to an interconnected world". In the final document of this summit, the Heads of State and Government of the 20 countries emphasised: sharing the benefits of globalisation, improving the sustainability of livelihoods, enhancing resilience and taking responsibility. An action plan to intensify cooperation in the fight against terrorism has also been adopted. Great consideration was also given to the topic of migrants, agreeing on the need to intensify and coordinate actions to fight human trafficking. "The trafficking of migrants is an organised activity, said Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, that last year generated a turnover of USD 1.6 billion in Libya alone. Thanks to these proceeds, the traffickers are able to control some parts of the country. They also cooperate with terrorists and further undermine the stabilisation of Libya." The development of Africa was another priority issue addressed by the G20 leaders who launched the "G20 partnership with Africa" to stimulate growth and occupation in the continent. The planned actions include the youth employment initiative in rural areas, which will help to create 1.1 million new jobs by The leaders stressed the importance of exploiting digitisation to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth. Promoting literacy and digital skills is essential to better prepare people for the future in the working world. Informal Summit of EU Ministers of the Interior in Tallinn With the launch of the new EU presidency of Estonia, the informal Summit of Ministers of the Interior of the EU took place in Tallinn on 6 July, offering the podium to Italian Minister of the Interior, Marco Minniti, for the introductory report, who illustrated the urgent measures to be immediately implemented regarding the landings in the Mediterranean, in order to avoid the risk of collapse of Italy s southern ports due to the current emergency. Italy has thus requested and obtained the allocation of more funds from the European partners to be used in Libya for a maritime coordination centre in Tripoli, and the review of search and rescue operations through better coordination, and the enforcement of a code of conduct to be applied to NGOs engaged in rescue operations at sea. Specifically, the mandate entrusted to Italy by large majority which only Sweden was sceptical to to draft the code of conduct for NGOs, provides for the prohibition of access to Libyan territorial waters for rescue activities at sea and, at the same time, the prohibition of deactivating the onboard transponder that indicates the exact position at sea of the rescue vessel. Moreover, it will no longer be possible to exchange night signalling with lights and rockets between NGO ships and boats to be rescued, and NGOs will be obliged to provide the names of the crew on board, as well as the financing sources of the respective organisations that support the costs of the activities carried out by the same NGOs. However, the no-front regarding the opening of other European ports for the reception of migrants during the emergency phase of landings was unanimous Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg also adhered with France and Spain even though Minister Minniti pointed out that the situation

3 involving the ports was not on the agenda and that "it will be discussed at another time. Landings on Italian coasts from 1 January to 30 June 2017 (vs 2016) Source: Ministry of the Interior Landings G7 Summit in Taormina As has not occurred for a long time, four new leaders made their debut as Heads of State or Government officials, during the G7 of Taormina, held on 26 and 27 May: Donald Trump, President of the United States since 20 January, Emmanuel Macron, French President taken office at the Elysée only on 14 May, Teresa May, British Prime Minister since July 2016 and Italy s Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, host, taken office since last December. Highlights of the Summit's conclusions were, once again, terrorism and immigration. Prime Minister Gentiloni illustrated the priority of the fight against terrorism and radicalisation spread through the web and stated: "I believe that the most important result can be defined as the common commitment against terrorism, because it will mark a trace for the link between radicalisation and the work of the leading Internet provider servers". Alongside the recognition of migrants' humanitarian rights and a security approach on the flows, the G7 countries, on the thrust of Washington, have, however, claimed the protection of their borders and security, confirming "the sovereign right of States to manage their own borders and to establish policies in the interests of the security of the nation". Climate was instead, the most controversial issue of the G7 of Taormina, where the tug-of-war with an intransigent Trump did not bear fruit, and the USA did not undersign the commitments for a rapid application of the Paris Agreement

4 like the other six partners did, because the United States as declared in the final statement "is in the process of a revision of their policies on climate change and on the Paris Agreement, and is not in the condition of joining the other partners on this". Extraordinary NATO Summit in Brussels The extraordinary Summit of State and Government Heads of the Atlantic Alliance of last 25 May in Brussels a shortened version as NATO summits usually last two days was convened to welcome the new American President, Donald Trump, and address two issues of his direct interest: the increase in defence spending by the EU and Canada, and a more influential role of the Alliance in the fight against the Islamic State. "Twenty-three of the twenty-eight countries still do not pay what they should for their own defence, Trump stated, and this is not right for the people and taxpayers of the United States and many of these countries owe a lot of money. Over these years, the United States spent more than what the others spent put together". Shortly before the NATO summit started, Trump had met with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and President of the EU Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, following which, at least three disagreements emerged, according to President Tusk: Russia, climate and trade. Speaking of the meeting with Trump, the President of the European Council pointed out that with Trump, he managed to make "progress, especially on counter-terrorism, but other issues remain open, such as climate and trade. And I'm not 100% sure we have a common position on Russia, although we are on the same line on the conflict in Ukraine". With regard to the fight against the Islamic State and the Alliance's official entry into the anti-isis coalition, NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, declared that NATO's participation in the Coalition "will send a strong message of unity in the fight against terrorism and the coalition itself will benefit from a better platform to coordinate. But this does not mean that NATO will engage in combat operations". Malta Summit It was exactly during the informal Summit of Malta on 3 February that Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat wanted to give ample space to the measures to curb the flow of irregular migrants from Libya to Italy. The 28 Heads of State or Government of the EU addressed the external aspect of immigration and adopted the Malta declaration that focuses on measures to curb the migratory flow from Libya to Italy. The declaration revealed that over 181K irregular immigrants arrived through the Central Mediterranean route in 2016 and that the number of deaths or dispersed at sea reached a new record every year as from Considering the approach of Spring, and therefore the season conducive to departures, it was decided to adopt further measures to significantly reduce migratory flows, dismantle the activity model of traffickers, save lives and intensify cooperation with Libyan authorities.

5 EU leaders have confirmed their support to the Presidency Council and the Government of National Understanding supported by the United Nations. They have also declared their will to cooperate with the Libyan regional and local communities and with international organisations active in the country. The priorities that were identified include training, equipment and support for the Libyan National Coast Guard and other relevant agencies; further efforts to dismantle the activity model of traffickers through an enhanced operational action involving Libya and relevant international partners; the improvement of the socio-economic reality of local communities in Libya, located particularly in coastal areas and at Libyan land borders along migratory routes. This commitment aims to ensure adequate capacity and reception conditions for migrants in Libya, together with the UNHCR and IOM. The leaders also stressed the need to contribute to the reduction of the pressure on Libya's land borders by strengthening the country's border management capacity and working with neighbouring countries. "We welcomed the memorandum of understanding signed yesterday by the President of the Italian Council and the Libyan Prime Minister as a further important and encouraging sign that the situation is going to change for the better," stated President Donald Tusk, during the press conference following the work session dedicated to immigration. "The European Union and our actions will support Italy and Libya. It is a responsibility we share".