PD says rowing with EU countries over migrants hurts Italy

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 9 - The centre-left Democratic Party (PD) said Wednesday thsat rowing with EU countries like France over taking in migrants rescued at sea may give the government a little boost in the opinion polls but strongly damages Italian interests vis-a-vis cooperation with its allies in many sectors.
    France has slammed the Italian government's refusal to take in the Ocean Viking, run by French NGO SOS Mediterranée, which is now instead heading for Marseille with over 200 increasingly vulnerable migrants after more than three weeks at sea.
    "Italy will have to make alliances in Europe to obtain results on: reform of the stability pact, SURE fund for unemployment and energy security," said the PD's Europe pointwoman, Lia Quartapelle.
    "Arguing with European countries over landings may serve to gain a few decimal points in the polls, but it damages Italian interests in the future." (ANSA).