While the two nations have identified a common view on Europe's continuing migration crisis, they are at odds over the financing of potential solutions.
Migration has once again been the focus of a meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, in Rome.
The German leader is emphasising the need to work collectively to solve Europe's ongoing migration crisis.
She says otherwise they risk the reinstatement of internal border controls.
"What's important is to define the goal together and the goal is to keep free circulation in the EU while protecting external borders. I have to admit we are closely working together on the efforts of Germany in Libya and, on the Italian efforts in Turkey. In the past, everybody was focused on its own region, on its (own) route, while now I believe we have taken a shared European approach, and this is what counts to me."
Austria is the most recent example of a European nation doing just that, announcing plans to construct a wall along its border with Italy to prevent migrants using it as a route to travel north.
Prime Minister Renzi expressed his anger at the move.
"We expressed our total opposition to, and, in some ways, our shock over the position that has been taken by our Austrian friends in regards to the Brenner Pass. These positions are wrong and outdated. Furthermore, these positions are not justified by any emergency. I would consider them wrong even in cases of emergency but today there is no emergency."
Already almost 29,000 migrants have reached Italy by boat this year, an increase of around 1,000 people.
Advocates say Italy has overtaken Greece as the preferred path for migrants, after a deal between Turkey and the European Union slowed the flow of people.
The International Organisation for Migration says most of those arriving on Italian shores are from African countries such as Nigeria, Gambia and Senegal.
Last month Italy presented what it called a "migration compact", calling for Europe to offer financial incentives to African nations in an effort to dissuade citizens from making the dangerous European journey.
Italy says this could be financed through common EU bonds, an idea dismissed by Chancellor Merkel.
Matteo Renzi says he is open to negotiating over funding - what's most important is the outcome.
"For us, the fact that we have a shared position with Germany is already a very important stage. That we are open to discuss things means our teams will find a solution. It depends on how big the investment is. I personally think that we will have to find some sort of innovative solution. But if the funding solution is different than ours, I will only care about the result."
At the border between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, migrants scuffled with police while staging a protest.
Mohanad, from Syria, described the desire to reach Europe.
"They are want going to Europa, my brother is in Europa, this my friend, your father, your family in Europa, all these people, they have family sitting in Europa."
Thousands of people remain stranded at the Greek-Macedonian border after authorities closed it in February.
Share
