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He added: \u201cWhen it comes to facing down the threat from Putin, confronting the risks and opportunities of AI or dealing with illegal migration, there is strength in unity.<\/p>\n
“These issues transcend national borders and require creative Europe-wide solutions – that is what I will be discussing with my fellow leaders at the European Political Community summit in Spain today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Sunak will co-chair a group meeting on the topic with Georgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister.<\/p>\n
Ms Meloni has emerged as Rishi Sunak\u2019s closest European ally on the migration crisis, joining forces to press other EU leaders to act.<\/p>\n
She recently warned fellow leaders they need a \u201cparadigm change\u201d to cope with the huge numbers entering her country via the sea of Africa.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n The Italian leader recently defeated Germany in a diplomatic clash over a new migration deal, which encapsulates the differing approaches being taken by European leaders over the crisis.<\/p>\n Ms Meloni won an \u201chistoric agreement\u201d on how EU members will deal will the large increase in those claiming asylum on the continent, with frontline states like Italy being allowed to fast-track asylum claims and move them swiftly to other countries not taking in their fair share.<\/p>\n One Italian diplomat said the negotiation win over German \u201cis a big result for us\u201d.<\/p>\n Mr Sunak caused \u201chavoc\u201d last week when trying to hijack the European Political Community meeting for his own ends, with Spain reluctant to focus on the migrant crisis.<\/p>\n The PM demanded the summit abandon its current agenda in favour of crucial discussions about illegal immigration, rather than AI as the host country intended.<\/p>\n Mr Sunak\u2019s demands forced France to step in as a mediator.<\/p>\n One diplomatic source said the British \u201cwant to overhaul the entire agenda and replace it with migration, which is not planned today\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are taking advantage of what\u2019s happened in the Mediterranean to try and impose their own agenda on the Channel.\u201d<\/p>\n Last month, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: \u201cMigration is a European challenge that requires a European solution\u201d.<\/p>\n At the time of the row, a senior Government source said Spain has been consistently uninterested in discussing how to tackle illegal immigration, adding: \u201cThey are the least interested of all the European countries on this issue\u201d.<\/p>\n
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