European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, Reuters reports.
Lampedusa is facing a surge in migrant arrivals with over 7,000 people landing there last week, which is more than the island’s population.
Italy has seen nearly 126,000 migrants arrive this year, nearly double the figure from the same period last year.
Von der Leyen has announced a 10-point EU action plan to assist Italy in managing the situation.
The plan includes using the EU’s external borders agency Frontex to increase surveillance of migrant boats and repatriate migrants not eligible for asylum.
The EU will also support Tunisia’s coastguard with equipment and funds, and increase access to legal channels for migrants.
