Italy urges EU to take collective action against refugee crisis

Italy has called on other European countries to open their ports to vessels saving refugees in the Mediterranean.

The Italian interior minister made the call ahead of talks with France and Germany about Europe’s refugee crisis. Marco Minniti said his country was under enormous pressure. He suggested that Italy shouldn’t be the only state to host refugees rescued by vessels operating under the flags of various European countries. Rome’s appeal for cooperation comes at a time when refugee arrivals in Italy have climbed nearly 19 percent compared to the same period in 20-16. According to the U-N, over 83-thousand refugees rescued in the Mediterranean have been brought to Italy so far this year. Italy's Red Cross says the situation in the country's overcrowded reception centers is becoming critical.