Paris recalls ambassador to Italy on 'repeated attacks'

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - France on Thursday recalled ambassador to Italy for consultations in wake of Italian government's meeting with Yellow Vest protestors.

"France has been, for several months, the target of repeated, baseless attacks and outrageous statements (by the Italian government)," French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said in a written statement.

Calling it an “interference” in French domestics, Muhll said Tuesday’s meeting between Italian Economic Development, Labor and Social Policies Minister Luigi Di Maio and Yellow Vest protestors caused provocation and it is unacceptable.

"These interferences are violating the respect between the democratically elected governments," she said.

Criticizing Di Maio over his meeting with Yellow Vests in Paris, Mull said on Wednesday: "This new provocation is not acceptable between neighboring countries and partners in the EU.”

Following this meeting, Di Maio said on social media that they discussed social rights and democracy with Yellow Vests.

Di Maio stated that the parties will meet again.

Since Nov. 17, thousands of protesters wearing bright yellow vests -- dubbed the Yellow Vests -- have gathered in major French cities, including Paris, to protest French President Emmanuel Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and deteriorating economic situation.

Demonstrators held protests blocking roads as well as entrances and exits to gas stations and factories across the country.

Under pressure, Macron announced a rise in the minimum wage and scuttled the tax hikes.

Since then, however, the protests have grown into a broader movement aimed at tackling income inequality and are calling for giving citizens a stronger voice in government decision-making.

At least 10 people have died, around 6,000 others have been detained and over 2,000 others have been injured in the protests.

The protests started in France but spilled over to other European countries, including Sweden and the Netherlands.