France and Italy seek to defuse Schengen migration row

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is meeting Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to discuss tensions over migrants from North Africa. Italy has angered France by granting visas to thousands of migrants, allowing them to travel across Europe's border-free Schengen zone. About 25,000 migrants have arrived in southern Italy so far this year, many driven by the unrest in North Africa. Many of the migrants are Tunisian and want to join relatives in France. Officials say it is hoped President Sarkozy and Prime Minister Berlusconi can put aside their differences and agree joint proposals to take to Brussels in their meeting in Rome, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy there. Among the ideas being discussed are ways of reinstating border controls if an external crisis triggers a flood of migrants. France "does not want to suspend Schengen," but "review the safeguard clauses in particular situations," Henri Guaino, a special adviser to Mr Sarkozy, was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. Italy Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the Schengen accords were "one of the two pillars of Europe [which] along with the euro, cannot be questioned" - but reportedly added that some kind of "technical control" could be introduced to make sure the treaty fitted with current realities. The Schengen treaty allows legal residents of most EU countries, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland to travel across the zone with only minimal border checks. Patrols Migrants heading to Europe from North Africa often arrive at the Italian island of Lampedusa, which lies about 120km (75 miles) off the Tunisian coast. The upheavals across the Arab world have triggered a huge wave of migration, and Italy has complained it is being left to cope with the influx alone. Earlier this month Italy and France agreed to joint sea and air patrols to try to stop African migrants reaching Europe. France promised to honour the temporary visas Italy has granted the migrants but has said it will turn away those who cannot support themselves financially. Last week, French police temporarily blocked an Italian train carrying Tunisian migrants from entering France. The problems arising from immigration are not the only subjects the two leaders have to discuss, our correspondent says. The battle for control of Parmalat, Italy's biggest listed food group, has become an issue about the country's national identity and the threat it is facing from foreign investors, like the French. The two countries' response to the unrest in Libya is also on the agenda. But with both Mr Berlusconi and Mr Sarkozy facing right-wing pressure from anti-immigration parties to curb migration in their respective countries, it is this issue that will dominate the talks, our correspondent adds. Source: BBC < Prev   Next >