European Commission President German Ursula von der Leyen shakes hands with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte upon her arrival in Rome | Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images Von der Leyen goes to bat for Rome on migration ‘I am aware that countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece are in a geographically exposed situation and we must guarantee solidarity.’

ROME — Europe needs a new way of dealing with migration and asylum, according to European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen.

Speaking to reporters in Rome before a working lunch with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday, von der Leyen said the EU needs "a breath of fresh air" on migration and solutions that are "effective and efficient but also human."

Von der Leyen said she agrees with Conte that a new way to divide migrants between EU countries must be found. "I am aware that countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece are in a geographically exposed situation and we must guarantee solidarity," she said.

However, the former German defense minister also said such solidarity "is never unilateral, it's always bilateral."

"If we work together we will be able to find solutions," von der Leyen said.

Her comments came just hours after Italy's Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini accused Berlin of "blackmail" over migration. According to German media, Salvini wrote in a WhatsApp group chat that Germany said it would only take in migrants rescued by an Italian coast guard ship if Italy allows another ship carrying 40 migrants to enter its ports.

MEPs from Salvini's ruling League party did not back von der Leyen's appointment in a European Parliament vote last month and Italy has yet to name its nominee for European commissioner. On Friday, Italy's other Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, from the 5Star Movement, called on Salvini to "take responsibility and put forth a name."

The League was Italy's largest party in May's European election and claimed the right to appoint the next Italian EU commissioner. However, Salvini has been reluctant to put forward a League official for the job, fearing they could be rejected by the president-elect or by the Parliament during a confirmation hearing.

At the press conference on Friday, Conte said Italy "deserves a substantial economic portfolio" in the next Commission. However, according to two people in Rome involved in the talks, the prime minister fears Salvini's delay in proposing a name could jeopardize Italy's chances of getting the portfolio it wants.

Di Maio also has thoughts on what portfolio Italy should get, saying in a Facebook live on Thursday: "We want the competition portfolio so we can put an end to the ridiculous state aid cases initiated against Italy."

One senior League official said Salvini called Conte on Friday morning to tell him the League's shortlist is: Massimo Garavaglia, the deputy finance minister; Lorenzo Fontana, the EU affairs minister; and Gian Marco Centinaio, the agriculture minister.

"The name depends on the portfolio," said the League official, who said the choice will be contingent on approval by Conte and President Sergio Mattarella.

According to one Italian government official, Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi and Finance Minister Giovanni Tria were mentioned as potential compromise candidates but were rejected by the League.

"We will propose and agree on the name that is the most suitable for the job," Conte said during the press conference with von der Leyen.