PARIS, France — French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said European countries had made progress on plans to redistribute refugees rescued in the Mediterranean, efforts criticised by Italy's hardline Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. Macron said 14 states had approved the plan, while eight said they would actively take part. Salvini, who has closed ports to NGO rescue boats, said the agreement underscored a demand that Italy "continue to be the refugee camp of Europe". Charities earlier criticised what they called Europe's "campaign of criminalisation" towards the rescue boats. At present, NGO boats must try to find a country ready to admit them each time they rescue migrants and refugees, leading to time-consuming negotiations between EU members states.

Source: Philippine Star July 23, 2019 01:18 UTC