Tensions between Italy and France over migrants

ITALY has summoned the French ambassador for consultations after France criticised the new Italian government for refusing entry to a migrant ship.

As the stand-off begins to have continent-wide repercussions, Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini is set to brief parliament on the situation as the Aquarius and its 629 passengers continue a long westward voyage to Spain.

Italy has defended its decision to refuse the Aquarius entry, saying it has never abandoned the ship operated by aid group SOS Mediterranee and is escorting it to Valencia.

Spain offered the Aquarius safe harbour after Italy and Malta both refused.

On Wednesday, an Italian coastguard vessel docked in Catania, Sicily, with more than 900 migrants aboard in a sign that Italy, under the populist 5-Star Movement and antimigrant League party, is still accepting some migrants, but is forcing other countries to share the burden.

Two corpses were also aboard the vessel Diciotto.

Mr Salvini has accused European aid groups of essentially operating taxi services for Libya-based human traffickers, and has said Italy will refuse them entry.

French President Emmanuel Macron criticised what he called Italy’s cynicism and irresponsibility in turning away the Aquarius.

Mr Macron’s office said France does not want to “start a precedent” that would allow some European countries to breach international laws and rely on other EU member states to take in migrants.

Mr Salvini responded that France has turned away thousands of migrants at Italy’s northern border.