Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy has announced the government's commitment to tackling human trafficking with new immigration legislation approved by the Council of Ministers. In a video message after arriving in Liège, Belgium, for an informal EU Council meeting, Meloni highlighted the importance of their election promise to secure Italy's territorial waters. She emphasized the intention to prevent the crossing of migrants through these waters, directing them instead to third countries when national security or public order is deemed at risk due to exceptional migration pressures or potential terrorist threats.

Meloni's remarks follow a strategic mandate intended to align Italy's efforts with European Union regulations, which the country has actively influenced. The proposed immigration reform is part of a broader initiative to develop a more unified and effective EU policy on migration control and border security. The Prime Minister argued that these measures were essential to addressing both current challenges of migration and enhancing Italy's role within the EU framework.

The implications of this legislation are significant as they reflect a shift in Italy's immigration policy under Meloni's leadership, aiming to adopt stricter measures to curtail irregular migration. The new law could potentially alter the dynamics of how migrants are processed and handled at the borders, impacting both humanitarian efforts and Italy's international relations, particularly with countries engaged in migrant transit. The emphasis on national security and public order in Meloni's speech reveals a prioritization of sovereignty and controlled migration that could resonate with significant segments of the Italian population as well as among other EU member states facing similar challenges.