The news marks a further escalation in Italy’s disapproval of Brussels’ policy toward a key European problem. In December, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi lambasted German Chancellor Angela Merkel at an EU summit over EU policies on migration, energy and banking.
On November 29, at a EU summit, country members agreed a draft plan to provide Turkey with €3 billion to meet refugees’ humanitarian needs.
According to it, one third of the sum should come from the EU budget and the remaining €2 billion should arrive from EU states.
Talks are now underway on how national funding should be treated under EU deficit rules.
"The EU is now seen as backtracking. We need to solve this urgently so we can credibly negotiate with Ankara to stem the flow," the source said.
