(22 February 2016) Italy takes a stand in favor of migration management in a strategic country: Sudan. A joint mission to Khartoum of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirms this. The Foreign Affairs Ministry was represented by Luigi Maria Vignali, central director for migration and visa issues, and Marco Peronaci, diplomatic adviser to the Internal Affairs Minister. The delegation, led by Internal Affairs Undersecretary Dominico Manzione, also included Prefect Mario Morcone, director of the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration, and Ezio Gaetano, from the State Police Department of Counterterrorism. The delegation, accompanied by the Italian Ambassador in Khartoum, Fabrizio Lobasso, met with Sudanese authorities and international organizations (the International Organization for Migration – IOM – and the UNHCR). Also present was Alberto Bortolan, Head of the Italian Agency for Development Khartoum Office. The institutional meetings with the Sudanese authorities highlighted a great appreciation of the latter for Italy’s commitment in favor of the country, including through the work of the Italian Cooperation, present and active since 2006. The Italian and Sudense representatives discussed the challenges of migration and the internal and multilateral actions in favor of efficient migration management. The strengthening of border management and control, and the establishment of ad hoc structures to perform such activities were identified as priorities. (Sip)
