Disagreement over refugee admissions between Paris and Rome

A row escalates between France and Italy over the admission of refugees. The government in Paris does not want to receive more than 3,500 people who have arrived in Italy and previously agreed to receive them. The Ministry of the Interior in Paris announced today that it will intensify controls on its borders with Italy.

France has renewed its stance on accepting refugees and insisted on adhering to European rules that require ships rescuing people at sea to contact the nearest port. “European law says that the ship must call the nearest port, and this is an Italian port,” said French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire.

The “Ocean Viking” may dock in Toulon

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described as “incomprehensible” Italy’s decision not to allocate a safe port to the “Ocean Viking” rescue ship of the French NGO SOS Mediterranee with 234 migrants caught in the Mediterranean.

He announced that Paris would allow the ship to dock in Toulon. “Ocean Viking” is currently not far from the island of Corsica. Four people were evacuated from the ship for health reasons.