Sheikh Mohamed meets Kais Saied in Rome, Italy, on Sunday. WAM

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday had discussions with Tunisian President Kais Saied, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Charles Michel, in separate meetings on the sidelines of the International Conference on Development and Migration which took place in the Italian capital, Rome.

During the meetings, Sheikh Mohamed discussed various aspects of the relations between the UAE and Tunisia, Lebanon, and the European Union (EU).

The parties also explored ways to support and develop these relations for the benefit of the people of all countries involved.

The meetings also discussed the agenda of the International Conference on Development and Migration, and its outcomes, with all sides expressing their hope that the conference will achieve its desired objectives aimed at addressing the causes of irregular migration and protecting the lives and dignity of migrants.

The Tunisian President, the Lebanese Prime Minister, and the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council praised the announcement of a financial contribution of $100 million by the UAE, which aims to support developmental projects in countries affected by irregular migration, including backing initiatives proposed in the Rome Process.

Saied, Mikati, von der Leyen and Michel expressed their appreciation for the UAE’s approach and efforts in addressing humanitarian issues and for the country’s constructive and impactful contributions in tackling common global challenges.

The two meetings were also attended by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Ali Bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; and Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation.

Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday, illegal flows of migrants are damaging all countries across the Mediterranean, as she sought to forge a broad alliance of nations to fight human trafficking.

Softening her past hardline rhetoric, Meloni told an international conference in Rome that her government was open to taking in more people through legal routes as “Europe and Italy needed immigration.” But she said more needed to be done to prevent migrants trying to make the perilous Mediterranean crossing via unauthorised means.

“Mass illegal immigration harms each and every one of us. No one benefits from this, except criminal groups who get rich at the expense of the most fragile and use their strength even against the governments,” she said.

Von der Leyen echoed Meloni’s point about offering legal routes into the 27-nation EU.

The EU and Tunisia, a major departure point for migrants, last week signed a “strategic partnership” deal that includes cracking down on human traffickers and tightening borders.

Europe has pledged 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in aid to help Tunisia with its battered economy, with 100 million euros speficially earmarked for tackling illegal migration.

“We want our agreement with Tunisia to be a template. A blueprint for the future. For partnerships with other countries in the region,” von der Leyen told the conference.

The EU could work with countries such as Tunisia in expanding their production of renewable energy to the benefit of all, she added.

Mohamed Al Menfi, head of Libya’s Presidential Council, called for help from richer nations.

“We are ready to participate in the effective way to stop the suffering of migrants,” he said.

Speaking to crowds in nearby St Peter’s Square earlier on Sunday, Pope Francis called on European and African governments to help migrants trapped in desert areas in north Africa and to ensure that the Mediterranean was never again “a theatre of death” for those attempting to cross. Conference host Italy is struggling to cope with the number of unauthorised migrants arriving in centres such as its far southern island of Lampedusa.

WAM/ Agencies