“Everyone must welcome people who are in distress at sea, France like other countries”recalled Wednesday, November 9 on franceinfo Michèle Rubirola, first deputy mayor of Marseille, while theocean viking, a humanitarian ship is in the Mediterranean Sea with 234 migrants on board. The vessel has been at sea for 19 days.
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Asked if Marseille can accommodate theocean vikingshe believes that “it is a decision that belongs to the State and we see that this extreme solution is the dramatic result of a critical failure by all the Member States of the European Union and the associated States”which do not arrive “to facilitate the designation of a place of safety for the disembarkation of the 234 survivors on board theocean viking“.
“We are ready, we are able, like other cities, to welcome them if the state asks us to.”
Michèle Rubirola, first deputy mayor of Marseilleat franceinfo
“European solidarity must come into play, be fully exercised, that the countries welcome and then the distribution takes place between all the States” and “welcome is not just limited to allowing a boat to dock, but to be able to receive them with dignity and support them in their integration”detailed Michèle Rubirola.
“The attitude of the Italian government is unacceptable”
The Viking Ocean “is destined to be welcomed in Italy”underlined Olivier Véran, spokesperson for the government, Wednesday on franceinfo. “The attitude of the Italian government is unacceptable”, he added. Italy must respect “its European commitments”. “I don’t know what is at stake between Paris and Rome”reacted Michèle Rubirola “but it’s a problem of European politics and with an Italy now led by a right-wing and far-right coalition, it’s going to be complicated for migrants to land on the Italian coast, but still the regulations is that everyone should welcome people who are in distress at sea”insisted the first deputy mayor of Marseille.