French President Emmanuel Macron has tried to ease tensions with Italy after criticizing the country for refusing to accept more than 600 migrants from the Aquarius ship, telling Italian leader Giuseppe Conte that no crime was meant.
The French president stressed that he never said anything that offended Italy and the Italian people, Macron's office said in a statement today (14/06).
Macron also told government ministers during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (June 12th) that the Italian government had acted "cynically" and "irresponsibly" in its refusal to welcome "Aquarius", according to the representative of the French Government Benjamin Griveaux.
Macron confirmed his meeting with the Italian Prime Minister next Friday (15/06).