French government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux told Europe 1 on Friday that Paris's decision to recall its ambassador to Rome for consultations "is not permanent". "But it was important to give a signal," Griveaux added. On Thursday the French foreign ministry said the recall was related to "groundless attacks by Italy without precedent since the end of the war" and "outrageous statements" by the Italian government.
Tension between Rome and Paris has been high in recent months over several issues, including the management of asylum seekers and the TAV Turin-Lyon high-speed rail link. But it was the support of Italian Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio's 5-Star Movement (M5S) for the Yellow Vests protestors in France that triggered the diplomatic move.
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