Italy allows migrants to land in Sicily

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EPA

Italy will allow 450 migrants who were picked up Saturday from an overcrowded boat to land in Sicily.

The decision was made after Italy said that France, Germany, Malta, Portugal and Spain had each agreed to take 50 migrants.

Malta and Italy had previously insisted that the other country allow the boat to dock.

The new Italian government has tightened its policies to stem the flow of arrivals on its shores.

Up to now, only women and children, or 57 people, have been allowed to land in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo.

• How Libya holds the key to solving the migration crisis in Europe

Migrants were rescued from a boat by two ships of the EU's Frontex mission, but Italy was not wanting to allow them to land in his ports.

Before the migrants were rescued from their wooden boat on Saturday, Malta had refused calls for them to land in Valletta, saying the boat was much closer to the Italian island of Lampedusa

. Salvini said the Frontex boats should "head south to Libya or Malta" once the migrants are saved.

The Italian position changed after Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte wrote to all member states of the European Union. refugees.

"In this context, which still sees Italy at the forefront of saving lives at sea, I ask you for a clear sign on the shared responsibility for managing the issue of migrants," he wrote. . they would each take 50, Germany, Spain and Portugal making a similar commitment on Sunday.

But Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis rejected the demand, saying the relocation of migrants "would drive the road to hell".

And Libya reiterated its refusal to welcome any person rescued from the ship

"No, we will not accept any illegal migrants after being rescued by rescue vessels," said a door Coast Guard report to Reuters. In June, two rescue boats fought to find a port where to dock, after Italy refused permission.

Aquarius finally joined the Spanish port of Valencia with 630 migrants after being blocked by Italy and Malta. second ship, the Lifeline, moored in Malta with 230 migrants. In both cases, a number of European countries have agreed to accept migrants.