Rome, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser travelled to Rome, Italy today to discuss migration policy with her Italian counterpart, Luciana Lamorgese.

The Italian Interior Ministry said the two held talks in the morning but did not give further details.

The trip was kept low key but it is assumed that Faeser, who took office as part of Germany’s new centre-left coalition government in December, wants to find out whether Rome will join a “coalition of the willing.” This refers to an informal association of states willing to take in migrants who are seeking protection.

Those who do not want to participate must at least make a financial contribution, the French government has stressed.

Paris is open to the idea but at the same time insists on better protection of the European Union’s external borders, including identity checks immediately after arrival.

The efforts to form a new alliance follow years of deadlock in common EU migration policy.

Source: Oman News Agency