Finland has become the fourth European country to implement the return of migrants to Italy, following an agreement stipulating that asylum seekers must be processed in the country of entry.
Before Finland, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland had already made recent decisions to return migrants to Italy. Although Switzerland is not an EU member, it adhered to the Pact agreed upon by the 27 members, which came into force last month.
The press office of the Finnish Ministry of the Interior informed the Italian news agency ANSA that they believe the validity of the EU regulation on asylum and migration management enables the resumption of transfers to Italy, which are already being prepared.
The government in Helsinki emphasized the importance of applying the rules regarding responsibility for processing asylum applications as stipulated, requiring all EU Member States to fulfill their obligations under the Pact.
The same statement sent by the Finnish Ministry of the Interior to ANSA added that they remain committed to ensuring the effective application of accountability procedures and maintain cooperation and dialogue with Italy for several years.
The right-wing and far-right government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has the fight against illegal immigration as one of its main banners. Upon taking office, this government unilaterally suspended the reception of secondary migrants from other nations.
With the implementation of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, Rome risks receiving thousands of migrants back to its territory who managed to enter the community space through Italy.
The increase in the list of countries announcing the return of migrants to Italy has drawn criticism from the Italian center-left opposition, which foresees a 'boomerang' effect. Riccardo Magi, leader of the +Europa party, commented that the government's revenue would prove to be a 'boomerang' for the country, something obvious to everyone except the Palazzo Chigi [seat of the Government], which would have chosen propaganda over solidarity and sharing among European nations.