France, Italy vow to tackle migrant crisis

Macron and Meloni pledge to strengthen cooperation in 'frank, ambitious' talks

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to strengthen collaboration between their countries at a meeting in Paris on Tuesday, indicating an improvement in relations after recent clashes over the migrant crisis.

In a news briefing, Macron said the dialogue was "frank, ambitious and demanding", also noting "the unique relationship that exists between Italy and France" and a "friendship that allows controversy to flourish, but always within a respectful framework", Agence France-Presse reported.

Meloni, on her first visit to meet Macron in the French capital, described Italy and France as "two interconnected countries, two important and crucial nations".

"They are protagonists in Europe and now, more than ever, need to dialogue because we have many common interests," she said. "It's essential that Rome and Paris continue to work together at both the bilateral and multinational level."

Since Meloni's election last year, the neighboring countries have experienced recurrent disagreements on immigration.

Migrant efforts to reach Italy from Tunisia have surged significantly this year, leading Tunisia to surpass Libya as the primary departure point for those attempting to enter Europe via the southern Mediterranean Sea route.

Italy's stringent migration policies have led to confrontations with humanitarian rescue vessels, The Associated Press said.

Meloni declined permission in November for a humanitarian vessel carrying 230 migrants to dock in Italy, resulting in the ship's redirection to France. The French government subsequently condemned Rome's "unacceptable" decision.

In May, France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin ignited a new dispute by saying that Meloni was "incapable of resolving the migration issues upon which she was elected".

In response, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called off a scheduled visit to Paris and demanded an apology.

Since one of the deadliest migrant shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea off the southern coast of Greece last week, there has been a heightened sense of urgency for the 27 European Union member states to address immigration and asylum policies, AP reported.

Meloni said France and Italy possess "common sensibility" on numerous matters such as irregular migration across the Mediterranean Sea and support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

"Today's meeting can allow us to review the most important issues and understand how to reinforce a mutual dialogue to benefit both our respective national interests and European interests," Meloni said.

'Good work'

Macron praised the "good work and coordination" between the two countries on migration, including working better with the countries of origin and transit in order to avoid incoming flows.

Meloni and Macron also noted that the Italian-French antimissile system, SAMP/T or Mamba, is now being deployed in Ukraine. The system's delivery to Kyiv was announced by Paris and Rome in February.

Their talks were aimed at preparing for an EU summit this month in Brussels and a NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius next month, according to the French presidency.

Meloni's visit was also aimed at garnering support for Italy's bid to host the 2030 World Expo, which is based in Paris.

Others who threw their hats in the ring include South Korea, whose President Yoon Suk-yeol was in Paris Tuesday, and Saudi Arabia, whose Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was on a several-day visit to France.

A vote among member countries is expected in November.

Meanwhile, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Meloni will meet on Wednesday afternoon, Brazil's government said in a statement on Tuesday.

Lula was scheduled to meet with Pope Francis and Italian President Sergio Mattarella during his Europe trip, which will also include a visit to France for a meeting with Macron.

Agencies contributed to this story.