Tensions flare over migrants
ITALY SUMMONS FRENCH AMBASSADOR, SALVINI ACCUSES EUROPEAN AID GROUPS OF AIDING HUMAN TRAFFICKERS
Italy summoned the French ambassador for consultations Wednesday after France accused the new populist government of cynical, irresponsible behaviour by refusing entry to a migrant ship, evidence that the standoff is having continentwide repercussions.
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini was to brief Parliament later yesterday on the situation as the Aquarius and its 629 passengers continued their daylong, westward voyage to Spain.
Italy has defended its decision to refuse the Aquarius entry, saying it has never abandoned the ship and is escorting it to Valencia. Spain stepped up and offered the Aquarius safe harbour after Italy and Malta both refused.
Yesterday, an Italian coast guard vessel docked in Catania, Sicily, with 932 migrants aboard in a sign that Italy under the populist 5-Star Movement and anti-migrant League is still accepting some migrants, but is forcing other countries to share the burden.
Two corpses were also aboard the vessel Diciotti.
Salvini has accused European aid groups of essentially operating taxi services for Libyabased human traffickers, and has said Italy will now refuse their rescue ships entry. The Diciotti was greeted in Catania’s port by activists criticising the new policy, with a banner draped at the port saying “Stop the attack on refugees.”
Cynicism, irresponsibility
French President Emmanuel Macron blasted what he called Italy’s cynicism and irresponsibility in turning away the Aquarius, which is operated by the humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee and the French founded Doctors Without Borders.
Macron’s office said Tuesday that France doesn’t 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.
Salvini shot back that France has turned away thousands of migrants trying to reach France at Italy’s northern border.
He accused France of having caused the instability in Libya that has allowed smuggling networks to thrive by spearheading the 2011 Nato-led military campaign that led to the downfall of Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
“Italy cannot accept hypocritical lessons about migration from countries that have always preferred to look away,” said a statement from the office of Premier Giuseppe Conte.
The foreign ministry said in a statement that it had convened the French ambassador for consultations over the French comments a day earlier.
The stand-off over the Aquarius appeared a clear tactic by Italy’s new government to force Europe’s hand at the upcoming summit of EU leaders in Brussels June 28-29.