French people our reference, Di Maio tells Le Monde

(ANSA) - Paris, February 8 - The French people are Italy's reference point, Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio told Le Monde Friday a day after France recalled its ambassador following Di Maio's meeting with Yellow Vest members in Paris on Tuesday.
    "We look to your people as a reference point and not as an enemy, and the political and vision differences between the French and Italian governments must not impact the historical relationship of friendship that unites our two people and our two States," he said in a letter to the French daily.
    In the letter, Di Maio also said "for this reason, as a representative of my country, I reaffirm our executive's will to collaborate on the questions that are most dear to our heart".