Move FM Global News

ROME, Italy: Italy has sought a stronger apology from Paris over a French minister’s comments accusing Rome of mishandling the influx of migrants, Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said this week.

“Clearer words are needed,” Tajani, who is member of the conservative Forza Italia party, told Italian state-owned television RAI in an interview.

“I hope that the French government changes its position and that an apology comes that represents a contrast to the positions adopted by the Interior Minister. I will be happy to accept them.”

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said last week that Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had been “unable to solve the migration problems on which she was elected”. Darmanin added that Meloni was “lying” to voters that she could end the migrant crisis.