ROME – In a speech to the London School of Economics on Thursday, Italian President Sergio Mattarella called for a Europe with greater unity and a coherent plan regarding the integration of migrants. Mattarella also visited the Queen during his visit to the United Kingdom.

 In the eyes of the Italian President, Europe needs to speak with one voice with regards to the deepening crisis in the Mediterranean and the growing number of migrants, who are reaching Italy and Greece in particular.

 "Dangerous threats to our stability are coming from the Mediterranean area, and these require a strong, cohesive Europe that speaks and acts with one voice,” said Mattarella. “Europe needs a coherent long-term vision for progressive integration.”

 The Italian President was also quick to lament the delay in action from the European Union, which he believes has led to many, preventable deaths in recent months. According to UN estimates, 1,800 migrants have been killed this year.

 "Our great regret is the delay with which the European machine got started," Mattarella said. "Too many deaths, unfortunately, have been necessary to awaken our collective conscience.”

 These comments have come as Italian coastguard officials announced that another 741 migrants have been rescued off the coast of Sicily in the past 24 hours. The migrants, who set sail from the coast of Libya before running into difficulties during the crossing, were saved by a combination of EU naval vessels.

 The UK’s HMS Bulwark, which was in the news just a fortnight ago for rescuing 400 migrants, found itself once again at the forefront of the operation, this time saving around 300 people.