The issue of migration and the return of asylum seekers continues to cause disagreements between Italy and Germany, although Rome is trying to prevent the dispute from escalating. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said there was no conflict between the two countries and that a solution would be sought through talks.
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“There is no war with Germany. We will resolve the issue with the balance that has always characterized our relations,” Piantedosi said, referring to discussions over the return to Italy of migrants who have applied for asylum in Germany.
The Italian minister explained that Rome and Berlin have reached an agreement under which the number of asylum seekers Germany may return to Italy for the period preceding the European agreement of June 12 is considered settled.
This also includes the so-called “Dublin cases,” asylum seekers who leave the first country they entered and are later identified in another European country. Piantedosi stressed that this category had been part of an earlier agreement with the German side.
“We believe that everything related to the so-called ‘Dublin cases’ was covered by an agreement with Germany, which effectively reset the previous figures to zero for the period before June 12,” he said.
Another source of tension is the vessels operated by German non-governmental organizations, which carry out rescue operations in international waters and then disembark migrants on Italy’s shores.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also rejected the idea that relations with Germany were facing a serious problem, while pointing to the same issue.
“A balance will be found. I do not believe there will be problems with the return of ‘Dublin cases,’” Tajani said.
However, sources cited by Italian media said bilateral talks had not yet produced concrete results. So far, there have mainly been contacts at the political level and commitments that dialogue between Italy and Germany will continue.
The government led by Giorgia Meloni does not plan to abandon its policy of “protecting the borders.” At the same time, the Italian government aims to prevent disagreements with Berlin from turning into an open confrontation.
As part of migration management efforts, Piantedosi also backed a pragmatic and coordinated strategy. Among the options he mentioned was the establishment of return centers in Africa, known as “Return Hubs.”
When asked whether these centers could be established in Congo and Rwanda, the minister did not rule out such a scenario but said it was not yet the right time to provide details.
“I do not deny it, but it is far too early,” Piantedosi said.
Meanwhile, Italian authorities are also closely monitoring developments in Spain. Attention is focused particularly on August 15 amid concerns that a new wave of migrants could begin heading toward the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
“We are waiting for August 15, and then we will see what happens,” Piantedosi said. He noted that the suspension of the Schengen agreement is expected to remain in force until the end of the month.
According to the Italian interior minister, the possibility that individuals with links to terrorism could infiltrate migrant groups must also be kept under constant surveillance, as this risk represents an ongoing threat.
Italy’s decision to suspend Schengen has been criticized by Madrid, where the measure has been described as propaganda.
Tajani responded strongly to these accusations, arguing that Rome was merely protecting the interests of Italian territory. He said the decision not to lift the suspension before August 15 had been made for security reasons.
“We are only protecting the interests of our territory. We have said that the Schengen suspension will not be lifted before August 15, after which we will see how the situation develops,” Tajani said.
