ROME (Reuters) – Italian Council President Giorgia Meloni on Friday deplored the “aggressive reaction” of the French government to the reception of the humanitarian ship Ocean Viking, speaking of a “misunderstanding”.
The Ocean Viking, with more than 200 migrants rescued at sea on board, arrived Friday morning in Toulon (Var) after being authorized to access the military port by the French authorities.
France announced on Thursday the “exceptional” decision – a first – to welcome the boat chartered by the NGO SOS Méditerranée in the face of Italy’s refusal to let the ship dock in one of its ports as provided for by law. international shipping.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin denounced Rome’s “irresponsible” and “inhuman” attitude on Thursday, citing “extremely strong consequences” for relations between France and Italy.
“I was struck by the aggressive reaction of the French government which from my point of view is incomprehensible and unjustified,” Giorgia Meloni told a press conference.
She stressed that Italy could not be the only point of arrival for migrant boats from Africa and said she was ready to work on solutions with the European executive.
(Giuseppe Fonte, Angelo Amante and Alvise Armellini, French version Sophie Louet)
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