Macron and Meloni Consult on the Controversial Issue of Migration Policy

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have engaged in discussions following tensions between the two countries over the contentious topic of migration policy. "We must be able to organize asylum and migration more efficiently in Europe," stated Macron prior to their meeting on Tuesday in Paris. "We are not staying true to our values, and I would also like to emphasize that the coordination and good collaboration between our two countries must continue." The goal is to enhance cooperation with countries of origin and transit.

During their first meeting in Paris since Meloni assumed office last autumn, economic matters and support for Ukraine were also on the agenda. Following the hour-and-a-half-long discussion, it was reported from Paris that both countries share the same principles regarding migration policy. However, no specific announcements were made.

France and Italy have been embroiled in several disputes concerning migration policy. Stéphane Séjourné, the head of France's presidential party Renaissance, criticized Meloni's approach to migrants as "unjust, inhumane, and inefficient" in May. Shortly before that, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused the Italian Prime Minister of being incapable of "solving the migration problems for which she was elected." Italian politicians reacted with outrage.

Last year, the two countries clashed when Italy denied entry to a ship carrying migrants, operated by civilian search and rescue organizations, into a port in Sicily. Eventually, the vessel docked at the port of Toulon in France.