Germany and Italy have had "close cooperation" in recent years, especially on migration, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Berlin on Friday after a meeting with Italy's premier Paolo Gentiloni.
"In the past few years, we have had close cooperation, with Italy, above all on immigration," Merkel told journalists at a press briefing with Gentiloni after their meeting.
Merkel thanked Italy for its "extremely important" role in tackling the migrant crisis and saving lives in the Mediterranean.
"Italy's activities with respect to the central Mediterranean route from Libya are extremely important," she stated.
"For this reason I extend to you my heartfelt thanks Paolo," she told Gentiloni.
Germany, Italy and France, have begun "excellent cooperation" with African countries together with the European Union, Merkel noted.
"We must always seek to tackle the underlying causes of migration and offer prospects, but also fight the human trafficking gangs," she said.
Merkel hailed the EU's management of the Mediterranean migrant influx, saying: "We are running things better now."
"This is also thanks to Europe's management of migration, the training of coastguard and support to Libya's (United Nations backed) unity government," Merkel stated.
