President Emmanuel Macron will host Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday in the French seaside resort of Antibes in an effort to smooth often testy ties. This marks their first bilateral summit since a strategic alliance treaty came into force in 2021, elevating relations to a level comparable to that between France and Germany.
Summit Focus
The summit will focus on deepening Franco-Italian cooperation in several strategic sectors, notably defence, nuclear energy, and space. The meeting takes place at the Villa Eilenroc, a 19th-century residence overlooking the Mediterranean.
Strained but Improving Relations
Relations between Macron, a pro-European centrist, and Meloni, who leads a coalition of right and far-right parties, have often been strained. However, they have worked to ease tensions, notably during a one-on-one meeting in Rome in June last year.
Recent Developments
Meloni had long sought to position herself as a bridge between Europe and former US President Donald Trump. However, following a G7 summit in France, she distanced herself from Trump over what she called his 'constant, unprovoked attacks'. This shift is seen as favourable to Macron.
Areas of Agreement and Disagreement
While Macron and Meloni share common ground on some issues, such as opposition to the European Union's free trade agreement with South America's Mercosur bloc, they remain divided on others. Notably, Meloni opposes sending Italian troops to Ukraine, even in a post-war scenario, unlike Macron.
