"France-Italy migration dispute escalates with calls for apologies and cancelled visits"

France downplayed the latest diplomatic row with Italy over migration, emphasizing the importance of their partnership and prioritizing calm dialogue. The dispute arose after French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin called Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "incapable" of handling her country's migration crisis. Italy's foreign minister cancelled a trip to Paris in response, demanding an apology from Darmanin. The French and Italian governments have clashed repeatedly over their common border and the admission of humanitarian boats carrying migrants. French Transport Minister Clement Beaune stressed the need for EU cooperation on migration, while the head of French immigration authority OFII said nearly half of migrants arriving on Italy's Mediterranean shore were from French-speaking sub-Saharan African countries.