Italy: Today is turning point in EU migration

ROME (AP) – The leader of Italy’s 5-Star Movement says the government’s refusal to let a migrant ship dock – and Spain’s offer to take it instead – marks a turning point in Europe’s long migrant crisis.

Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio says the offer by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to let the 629 migrants on a rescue ship disembark in Valencia puts into practice the words of solidarity that European countries have often extended to Italy but never acted on.

In a Facebook post, Di Maio said: “From now on, Italy isn’t alone, and we hope other European leaders follow Sanchez’s example.”

Italy’s new government, headed by the 5-Stars and the anti-immigrant League party, is seeking to renegotiate EU regulations and practices on helping migrants and processing asylum claims.