According to the Austrian interior minister, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the number of migrants reaching Italy across the Mediterranean could double from 150 last year to 300. "Along this route, Syrians do not arrive in Europe, but above all people from North Africa, who are not entitled to asylum", added Mikl-Leitner, who tomorrow will meet the number one of the Viminale, Angelino Alfano in Rome.
The Austrian minister also hypothesizes the closure of the Brenner Pass: “Italy cannot count on the fact that the Brenner Pass will remain open if there is an uncontrolled flow of migrants. As we did with the countries on the Balkan route, Slovenia, Croatia and Macedonia, we also want to inform Italy of the measures we will take if there is an uncontrolled flow of migrants from Italy to Austria".
Mikl-Leitner said that Austria wants to find out in Rome how Italy is preparing to protect its borders in the event of an increase in the migratory flow on its coasts, also asking about the functionality of the hotspots set up in the south of the country and if help is needed.
