(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 8 - The EU must face up to the migrant issue starting with the fight against migrant smugglers, Premier Giorgia Meloni told a press conference after meeting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Rome Wednesday.
    "We discussed with Rutte the last European Council in a very pragmatic way and perhaps with a common vision on the fact that the migratory question must be addressed starting from the defence of external borders and the fight against the traffickers, an issue which as far as Italy is concerned has become all the more significant after the tragedy of Cutro" where at least 72 migrants died after their boat broke up in rough seas off the Calabrian coast, said Meloni.
    She said the next EU summit must make progress on migrants starting with the central Mediterranean route and cooperation with African countries.
    Meloni added that in the upcoming reform of the EU's Stability and Growth Pact, there must be a balance between stability and growth.
    "In the Stability and Growth Pact there must be more consideration for the issue of balance between stability and growth, both are necessary," she told the press conference.
    (ANSA).