Italy warns it could issue visas allowing migrants to travel through Europe

Migrants have been sleep on the rocks at the Saint Ludovic border crossing on the Mediterranean Sea between Italy and France Credit: REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Italy could start issuing temporary visas to migrants which would allow new arrivals to travel through Europe, according to reports.

Local media reports suggest Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi may be considering approving Schengen visas in order to deal with the influx of refugees arriving on its shores, if EU countries fail to agree to house some of the arriving migrants.

Renzi, who has frequently said he wants Europe to share more of the migrant burden, has been stepping up calls for a change to the current asylum rules that mean most asylum seekers are assigned to the EU country they first enter.

In an interview with Milan's Corriere della Sera paper on Sunday he indicated that other EU countries needed to start showing some "solidarity" in dealing with the problem or there would be consequences.

He said: "If the European Council chooses solidarity, then good. If it doesn't, we have a Plan B ready but that would be a wound inflicted on Europe."