Italy and France are seeking stronger ties after a rift emerged between United States President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Meloni to meet Macron after US row
Meloni, fresh from a dispute with the US leader, is set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron to strengthen bilateral relations. One of Europe’s most prominent right-wing leaders will arrive in Antibes on the French Riviera for her first bilateral summit with Macron.
The talks mark the first Franco-Italian summit since a strategic alliance treaty came into force in 2021, raising relations to a level similar to those between France and Germany. The French presidency said the summit would provide an opportunity to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including defence, nuclear energy and space.
'We need each other'
“We need each other,” the French presidency said ahead of the talks at Villa Eilenroc, a 19th-century residence overlooking the Mediterranean.
Relations between Macron, a pro-European centrist, and Meloni, who leads a coalition of right and far-right parties, have often remained tense.
However, leaders of the European Union’s second and third-largest economies have worked to reduce tensions, including during a lengthy meeting in Rome last year.
Meloni had previously sought to position herself as a bridge between Europe and Trump. However, after the G7 summit in France, she distanced herself from the US president over what she described as his “constant, unprovoked attacks”.
Political experts said the meeting between Macron and Meloni would focus on rebuilding cooperation despite differences on several issues.
Italy, France united in Mercosur deal opposition
Italy and France share common ground on some matters, including opposition to the European Union’s free trade agreement with South America’s Mercosur bloc.
The two countries remain divided over issues including Italy’s plan for migrant detention centres outside the European Union and Rome’s opposition to sending troops to Ukraine after a peace agreement.
The two nations are expected to sign a defence roadmap, with emphasis on the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system supplied to Ukraine.
A nuclear energy cooperation agreement will also be signed, along with another agreement on a planned European satellite project intended to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
