The Italian government will organize an international conference in Rome in July to discuss development projects in the Southern Mediterranean area and North Africa, with Gulf countries willing to contribute. 

This was announced by Undersecretary of State Alfredo Mantovano in an interview with the Catholic magazine Tempi, according to Italian news site Decode 39.

Mantovano added in the interview that “human trafficking cannot be stopped with police officers on beaches but with a comprehensive strategy”.

He added that the “difficulties” faced by Tunisia and Libya “are part of a context in which Western solidarity leaves much to be desired. In a month, the Tunisian government will no longer have money to pay public employees, including the police: therefore, migrants will depart from ports managed solely by criminal organizations".

“Without the resources, rights will be even less respected” by the Tunisian government, he added.

“It’s a vicious circle that needs to be broken”.