The call for help launched Thursday, November 3 by the NGO SOS Méditerranée to find a place to welcome the 234 migrants rescued at sea and currently on board the “Ocean Viking” was somewhat obscured by the insult racist of the deputy RN of Gironde, Grégoire de Fournas, launched while the deputy LFI Carlos Martens Bilongo challenged the executive on its policy of aid to migrants. However, on the subject of the reception of this boat of migrants, the positions seem to be slightly different within the government.
First there is the line of Jean-Christophe Combe, the Minister of Solidarity. Invited on Friday November 4 on franceinfo, he believes that welcoming these migrants is first and foremost a question of humanity. “France is ready to welcome them like any other country”he says.
Ocean Viking from SOS Méditerranée ➡️ “There has to be a port in Europe or France that can accommodate them”, replies the minister. “France is ready to welcome them. It is a question of humanity. not let them drift in the middle of the Mediterranean” pic.twitter.com/KdHW5dLbqi
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) November 4, 2022
But at the same time, on BFMTV, the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin relied scrupulously on international law. “It is the closest, safest port that should receive it, in this case Italy. We do not doubt for a moment that Italy, which is in the European Union, which signed all international conventions, welcomes this boat. And we said that if this boat is welcomed in Italy, we will welcome part of the migrants, women and children”said the Minister.
Despite two slightly different lines, it is this principle that the executive claims. Italy must welcome this boat, because it is now located closer to its coasts. It will then offer its assistance for the reception of migrants. Why set such conditions? The question is very diplomatic. France does not intend to create a precedent and open a breach by welcoming a migrant boat which, according to international law, is the responsibility of Italy.
A position also very political, linked to the recent arrival in power of Giorgia Meloni. The new president of the Italian council, coming from the extreme right, has made her entire campaign on the blocking of migrant boats. Emmanuel Macron met her a little over ten days ago in Rome, on the sidelines of a visit to the Vatican, promising “dialogue and ambition”. The implementation is immediate: the executive intends to put Giorgia Méloni face to face with her responsibilities, even if it means going as far as arm wrestling.
The question of the reception of migrants has often created lively exchanges with Italy in recent years. One of the most emblematic cases remains the reception of the Aquarius, this SOS Méditerranée boat where more than 600 migrants were stranded on board in 2018. France had refused to welcome it, considering that it was at the Italy to coordinate relief. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini then refused to open his ports and Emmanuel Macron denounced his “cynicism”which had revived a political divide in Europe.