Moscow – Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Wednesday said his country’s refusal to accept migrant rescue ship Aquarius, stranded in the Mediterranean Sea, had not merited criticism from France.
Ironically, France has failed to fulfill its obligations to receive migrants.
Earlier in the day, the Italian foreign minister summoned French Ambassador to Italy Christian Masset after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Italy of “cynicism and irresponsibility’’ for denying entry to the Aquarius.
Also, Gabriel Attal, a member of the French government, called Italy’s position “sickening.’’
“We have nothing to learn from anyone in terms of solidarity.
“Our history does not deserve to be reproached in these terms by members of the French government, who I hope apologise,’’ Salvini said.
Salvini added that Macron could prove that he cared about the issue by accepting around 9,500 migrants who should have been relocated in France over the past three years.
“France says that we are cynical but between Jan. 1 and May 31 it turned back 10,249 people at the border, including women and disabled children,’’ Salvini stated.
On Sunday, Italy closed its ports to the Aquarius and over 600 migrants on board, saying that Malta was the closest and safest port to accommodate the vessel.
The Maltese authorities, in turn, said the issue was beyond their jurisdiction, and only decided to send food to the ship rather than allowing the boat to make port.
The Spanish authorities then said they were ready to let the Aquarius dock in its eastern port.
(Sputnik/NAN)
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