Italy's Renzi drops objection to EU migration funds to Turkey

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speaks to media during a visit to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, January 21, 2016. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy

ROME/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Italy will contribute to a 3 billion euro European Union fund to help Turkey tackle the European migration crisis, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Monday, dropping objections blocking implementation of the plan.

Under a deal from last November, Ankara is to stem the flood of refugees and migrants leaving for Europe in exchange for the aid. Brussels hopes that would help limit the influx of people fleeing wars and poverty in the Middle East and Africa after more than a million reached Europe last year.