PARIS, Nov 14 — The presidents of Rome and Paris in a phone call affirmed the "great importance” of having good diplomatic relations, they said in a joint statement today after relations frayed over how to deal with migrants crossing the Mediterranean.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella, "stressed the need to create the conditions for full cooperation in all areas, both bilaterally and within the European Union”, their offices said.

Last week, the Ocean Viking charity-run ship carrying around 230 migrants docked in the French port of Toulon after being turned away by Italy, with France having criticised Italy’s decision not to have let it dock in Italy. — Reuters