ROME 

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron praised Tuesday the close relationship between the two countries, pledging to cooperate even more in the future, after several recent clashes between the two nations over the migrant crisis. 

“The ties between our societies, economies, artists and universities allow this unique relationship between Italy and France to live every day,” Macron said in a statement ahead of a bilateral meeting in Paris with Meloni. “Sometimes there can be some controversies but always in a respectful context.” 

The meeting comes after France and Italy have been at odds several times in the last months over the management of the migration crisis in the Mediterranean with reciprocal complaints of not managing properly the issue or not cooperating enough for its solution. 

“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 in her statement ahead of the meeting. 

She added that Italy and France share a “common sensibility” on many issues, including irregular migration across the Mediterranean, the stability of Tunisia and Libya in relation with migration, and the support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. 

“We agree, I believe, that we need to overcome the long-lasting controversy over the so-called primary and secondary movements (of migrants),” and all co-operate to stem the flow of irregular migrants into the EU, she said. 

Migrants’ attempts to reach Italy from Tunisia have dramatically increased this year and the country overtook Libya as the departing point of migrants trying to reach Europe through the southern Mediterranean. 

Both Italian and French officials have visited the African country and pledged financial help to prop up its economy and help it bear the burden of tackling migrant trafficking. The EU too has offered financial help to the struggling nation. 

Earlier this afternoon, Meloni spoke at the general assembly of the International Bureau of Expositions, the organizer of the Expo world fair, to support Rome’s bid to host the edition of the fair in 2030.