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Top EU official chides Renzi on refugee aid for Turkey

15 gennaio 2016 | 13.29
LETTURA: 1 minuti

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The chief of the European Union's executive on Friday rebuked Italian premier Matteo Renzi over Italy's opposition to three billion euros earmarked in refugee aid for Turkey, amid mounting tensions between Rome and Brussels over Europe's refugee crisis.

European Union Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker could not understand the "surprising Italian reticence when it comes to the co-financing of Syrian refugees in Turkey," German news agency DPA quoted him as telling journalists in Brussels.

Providing the funds for the Syrian refugees was also a question of European credibility, Juncker argued.

Over 2.2m Syrians who have fled the almost five-year conflict in their homeland for Turkey, where until now they have not been granted work permits and face economic hardship.

"The mood between Italy and the rest of the EU, and the commission in particular is not the best ever," DPA cited Juncker as saying. He criticized Renzi for "vilifying and criticising the commission on every street corner."

"I don't understand why he is doing this," he added. "Italy, to be honest, should not criticise the commission too much. I accept all criticism, that's not the problem, but it should be justified."

"I would like us to stick to reality and the truth," Juncker said.

"The commission is being insulted. I grin and bear it... but people should stop thinking that I'm naive. I am not."

Juncker said he planned to travel to Italy at the end of February, noting that Renzi has complained he has not visited the country since he became EU Commission president in November 2014.

"We have to resolve this thing with the Italians," DPA cited Juncker as saying.

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