France says aware of migration burden on Italy, signals leaders still to meet

France's foreign ministry said it fully understood the strain that migration had placed on Italy and that the two countries would discuss solutions to the crisis when their leaders meet on Friday in Paris.

"We are fully aware of the burden that the migration pressure is placing on Italy and the efforts that this country is making," Foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said in a daily briefing on Wednesday. "We are committed to the dialogue and cooperation we have on these topics with Rome."

Von der Muhll said it was essential to quickly reach an agreement on the reform of the European asylum system, strengthen joint actions for countries of origin and transit and to reinforce the protection of Europe's external borders.