A global compact on safe and orderly migration due to be formally approved at a meeting in Marrakech next month is "the most powerful instrument available" to protect states, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Thursday.
The non-binding compact, finalised in July under UN auspices, is "the most powerful instrument available to serve national interests," Mogherini told a mini-plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels.
"We regret the decision taken by several (EU) member states not to support the Global Compact," Mogherini underlined.
The compact "offers a policy menu" and "provides a framework for migration policies", the Italian diplomat added.
Mogherini's remarks came after Italy's populist premier Giuseppe Conte said that Italy will not take part in the intergovernmental conference in Marrakech on 10-11 December and prefers to have the Italian parliament debate the migration compact before deciding whether to adopt it.
Poland, Hungary, Austria and United States are among countries which have already said they won't support the compact.
