Both leaders ‘affirmed the great importance of relations between France and Italy and stressed the need to create the conditions for full cooperation in all areas, both bilaterally and within the European Union, the statement said.

The conversation took place days after the French Government decided to welcome more than 200 migrants rescued by the humanitarian ship Ocean Viking, whom Italy did not want to accept in any of its ports, despite being the closest country and after 20 days in Mediterranean waters.

On Sunday, French Government Spokesman Olivier Véran called on ‘Europe to decide very quickly on the follow-up to be given on Italy’s ‘unacceptable’ behavior.

For his part, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin assured last Thursday that, as a retaliatory measure, France was suspending with ‘immediate effect’ the planned reception of 3,500 migrants currently in Italy, 500 of whom were due to arrive by the end of the year.

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