Bruno Cortese, expert in migration policy and actually working in Brussels, has always been interested in immigration policy because of his origins (he is actually original from one of the south region of Italy, Calabria). From his point of view migration always has its potential and it has been like this since when the Mediterranean sea was called “Mare Nostrum”. The importance of an Euro-Mediterranean dialog is one of the most important element of his cause.

The passion of Mr. Cortese in migration and cultural differences has been an important part of his studies (Master Degree theses about the Palestinian conflict and the role of USA there). His working experience in Foundation Meseuro, a foundation which promote the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue allowed him to develop his passion in practical actions. One of the main ideas of the mentioned foundation was to develop an Euro-Mediterranean Erasmus (Students Exchanges Programs), to increase social inclusion between countries with different cultures and traditions (Cairo, Slovenia, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria). The possibility to live in another country or to have foreigners coming from outside your continent is a practical action to open the human mind and to develop new ideas by facing different realities, to learn from them and not to fight against them.

Even if the European Union has many instruments and strategies which are available to approach the immigration emergency, the problem lies in intern politics. Considering the fact the European Union is composed by 28 states, the intern bureaucracy is really “easygoing” and light. The real problem is how each state uses this bureaucracy and how they feel related to it. An unstable political system , like in Greece and Italy, doesn’t help to make a concrete reactions to migrations in an efficient and fast way.

An Instrument like “Frontext” is technically useful for member states but still not efficient enough to face this emergency. It is also true that considering the fact that to reach each country it’s necessary to pass through different European countries ,which have different kinds of approach to migration, the path for immigrants became more slowly and difficult. Europe hasn’t got many instruments available to face migration problems and those currentlypresent are not still used in a shared and proper way; this is a consequence of the political situation and history of each country.

Lampedusa is one of the doors of Europe and Lampedusa habitants are consequently the first hosts of the thousands and thousands of immigrants landing to the coast every day. This is considered an emergency today; the crisis which involve Italy, the lack of resources and the instability of the political situation are not helping to have an excellent approach to face this emergency. Sicily and Lampedusa, by using law and instruments which Italy as a country gives, are facing the emergency with a “Mediterranean spirit” and consequently developing fast social inclusion policies and approaches which save more than thousand of people every year. Italians were and are immigrants as well, their spirit of brotherhood is making them in the position to try to be in the other people shoes but Italians need not be left alone. In this case, task forces coming from Germany and from all the other countries will be useful and necessary, because migration is something which involve all Europe as a continent.

“Carta di Lampedusa” (Charter of Lampedusa) is an expression direct coming from citizens and public society who are sensible to the cause and feel the necessity to have a more detailled, practical and fast action. It’s a clear fact that all the documents, conventions and regulations are not enough. The Carta will be a useful document only if it will be taken in consideration from the political strategy of Europe and of each country. Mr Cortese said : “ I am supporting Carta of Lampedusa only if this document will have a political impact and influence at European level. It’s not a paper which will save migrants but the use of it”.

 

Piera D’Arrigo