国际英语资讯:Italian, Finnish presidents discuss European integration, immigration

HELSINKI, Sept. 27 -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella said in Helsinki on Wednesday he believes the final outcome of European integration will be positive.

Mattarella arrived here on Tuesday for a two-day state visit in Finland.

At a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Wednesday, Mattarella said that "the journey of European integration must be taken with determination as we must also have the sensitivity to listen to different views."

Saying that the final outcome would be positive, he referred to the view that "the logic of history will surpass anything else".

Niinisto said he discussed with Mattarella issues including immigration, terrorism and the joint defense of the European Union (EU) as well. The two presidents said they held the same views on these issues.

Talking about the pressure from immigration, Niinisto said: "Italy has over the years received a huge number of refugees."

"We share the view that conditions must be improved in the coutries the people are coming from so that they could remain in their home areas. At the same time we must look together into ways of bringing the migration under control," Niinisto said.

Mattarella noted that migration cannot be stopped, but Europe must be able to control it together. Mattarella referred to the refugee quotas the European Commission has assigned to member countries.

"We thank Finland for the fact that it has meticulously implemented the agreement and admitted into Finland the number of refugees that has been agreed upon," the Italian president said.