In a joint letter addressed to EU leaders, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen highlighted the urgent need for enhanced European cooperation in anticipation of new influxes of migrants and refugees from the Middle East. They referenced the significant rise in immigration during the 2015-2016 period, largely attributed to the protracted Syrian civil war, and emphasized that such a situation must be avoided again, considering the potential negative impacts on security and the unity of the EU. The leaders articulated their belief that asylum seekers should primarily be supported in their current locations rather than within Europe itself.

Both Meloni and Frederiksen underscored the requirement for European support directed towards individuals affected by conflicts in the Middle East. They welcomed the European Commission’s initiative to allocate €458 million (approximately $835 million) towards humanitarian assistance aimed at mitigating the risks associated with further migration to the EU. Their comments mirror growing concerns of a re-emergence of a migration crisis in Europe that could challenge the bloc's stability and cohesion in light of escalating tensions in the region.

The move comes amid reports from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees indicating that up to 3.2 million people have been displaced within Iran due to violence from conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran. This underscores the urgent humanitarian situation prompting Meloni and Frederiksen to call for strategic and effective measures that ensure both humanitarian needs are met while also preserving the integrity and security of the EU.