The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa this Sunday, signaling a moment in the ongoing Mediterranean migration crisis. The island has been the focal point of irregular migration and a central stage for discussions about how to manage and share the responsibility of migrant transfers across Europe. Von der Leyen’s presence underscored the urgency of coordinating a European response to the challenges unfolding there and across the bloc.
Speaking alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Von der Leyen emphasized that illegal immigration is a European problem that demands a collective solution. The island has welcomed a large number of arrivals in a short span, with reports noting that more than ten thousand migrants reached Lampedusa in just three days. Meloni reaffirmed that decisions about who comes to Europe will be made by Europeans, not by traffickers or smugglers, highlighting the need for unified policy and action across member states.
The announced plan comprises ten commitments, including the activation of a solidarity mechanism that would see other European countries take in migrants arriving in Lampedusa, rather than concentrating responsibility solely on Italy. Additional components include updating European legislation on human trafficking and establishing new legal and safe humanitarian corridors to help migrants reach safety while reducing perilous journeys across the sea.
The two leaders toured parts of the island, including the Favaloro pier, a primary landing point for boats entering through Lampedusa. Their visit came amid demonstrations by local residents and supporters who gathered to express their concerns. Meloni listened to the protesters, promising that the government would address the emergency with all possible measures and personally oversee the response on the ground. Her remarks reflected a commitment to balance humanitarian considerations with security and orderly management of arrivals, as reported by major Italian outlets.
Meloni insisted during a later press conference that Europe must confront the migration challenge by enhancing border controls and preventing unsafe crossings at the source. She argued that the core issue lies in reducing irregular departures and ensuring that asylum and migration governance operates with clear rules and predictable outcomes for both migrants and communities involved. The statement underscored a belief that a robust, Europe-wide approach is essential to avert a fragmented, country-by-country struggle.
She added that the solution cannot hinge on discussion about the inflow alone or redistributive measures without also addressing the root causes of irregular migration. The emphasis was on stopping illegal departures and creating a framework where lawful channels and safe pathways are accessible—while ensuring that both citizens and refugees understand the policy direction and its implications.
New irregular arrivals
The Commission President’s visit coincided with ongoing arrivals on Lampedusa. Reports from agencies indicated that around a thousand more people reached the island in the hours leading up to and just after the visit. Local authorities, including the Italian Red Cross, noted that hundreds of migrants were awaiting transfer to facilities with limited capacity, underscoring the strain on reception systems. The situation has been continually evolving as teams coordinate with regional services to manage intake and redistribution across the country and beyond.
Rescues continued at sea as humanitarian organizations worked to save lives. One notable effort involved the Geo Barents, operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which assisted more than a hundred people during a series of coordinated missions. In total, several hundred individuals, including many children, were rescued as part of efforts to disembark migrants at Brindisi and other ports, where authorities arranged screening, medical care, and temporary housing before onward transfer. These operations illustrate the joint challenges of saving lives at sea while managing the logistics of reception and placement in a way that respects human dignity and legal obligations.
From Brussels, European Council President Charles Michel commented that immigration would be addressed within an informal summit set to occur in early October. He noted that Spain would assume the EU presidency during this period and signaled that the issue would be revisited at the official EU meeting slated for late October. Michel stressed that migration is a European challenge that requires a European solution and that no member state should be left to handle the burden alone. The comments highlighted the ongoing importance of cohesive policy discussions at the highest level of European governance and the expectation of coordinated action across member states (official statements, EU Council communications).