BANJUL, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Italian government on Tuesday donated 40 pickup trucks to the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) as it seeks support of the West African state in tackling a migration crisis that has claimed many lives.
The Gambia's Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty said they want a special relationship with the Italian government in better handling the migration crisis that heavily involves his citizens.
"Irregular migration is one of international concerns and The Gambia has a role to play in its solution. That is why today is very significant because it demonstrates the commitment of two nations towards resolving this imbroglio," he said at the handover.
"Both sides have the moral and the legal obligation to ensure lives are protected and that people who embark on these perilous journeys are protected," he continued.
Victorio Pissano, Director General of Italian Immigration said it is important that Italy and other states to work in collaboration through cooperation to put a stop to irregular migration.
"There is a need to extend the bilateral relationship between Italy and The Gambia to be able to curb the irregular migration," he said.
Over the last four years, several thousand of Gambians reached Italy through the Mediterranean Sea as economic migrants while many others lost their lives.
