Minister of the Interior Orpo to Italy and Malta to discuss relocation

Minister of the Interior Petteri Orpo will visit Italy and Malta on 27–29 October. He will discuss with his colleagues the implementation of the EU's relocation mechanism. Finland received the first asylum seekers relocated from Italy last week.

In Italy, Mr Orpo will meet Mr Angelino Alfano, Italian Minister of Interior, Mr Carmelo Abela, Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and Mr George Vella, Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Mr Orpo and Mr Alfano will discuss EU border management, the Italian reception system and the registration centres ('hotspots') to be established in Greece and Italy.

- Finland is in favour of the establishment of the registration centres. It is extremely important to ensure that all asylum seekers are registered at the centres. This is of crucial importance to the functioning of the Schengen and Dublin systems, says Mr Orpo.

Topics of discussion in Malta will include trends in migration to Europe and the upcoming Valletta Summit. During his visit, Minister of the Interior Orpo will also find out more about the role of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) in the EU's relocation mechanism and the resettlement of quota refugees. Finland has actively contributed to EASO activities; Finnish experts have participated in further improving the reception system in Greece and country knowledge in Italy.

In addition, Mr Orpo will tell his colleagues about the asylum situation in Finland, the operation of the Tornio registration centre and our involvement in Frontex operations.

Inquiries

Ms Laura Yli-Vakkuri, Director General, tel. +358 295 488 250
Mr Jorma Vuorio, Director General, tel. +358 295 418 860
Mr Mikko Kortelainen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 50 301 8334