European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said during a visit to Lampedusa on Wednesday that Europe "cannot turn away" following the refugee shipwreck tragedy off the Italian island last week.
"Together we can respond in a more adequate way. Europe cannot turn away," Mr Barroso said at a press conference. "This tragedy today shows that it is indispensable to step up our efforts."
The pledge came as the Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta said Italy would hold a state funeral for the victims.
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