8,000 migrant landings this year, down from 60,000

(ANSA) - Rome, September 12 - Only 8,000 illegal immigrants have landed on Italian shores so far this year - well below the 60,000 recorded last year, Interior Minister Anna Maria Cancellieri said Wednesday. She praised the "growing cooperation offered by countries of origin or transit of illegal migration flows" as contributing to the decrease. Given its long coastline and proximity to North Africa, Italy is especially vulnerable to illegal immigrants, she told the House in answer to a question. That means the government must focus a lot of attention and resources on the problem and is working particularly closely with authorities in Tunisia and Libya, she said.