Italy and France call for ‘full cooperation’ over migrants

Cars line up for police checks before entering France from Italy at a border crossing in Menton, southern France on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022 (Daniel Cole/AP/PA)

The presidents of Italy and France sought to damp down tensions over migration by asserting the need for “full cooperation” and the importance of strong bilateral relations after days of diplomatic barbs over the fate of migrants crossing the Mediterranean.

The offices of Presidents Sergio Mattarella and Emmanuel Macron issued identical statements on Monday after the two leaders spoke by telephone.