French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met on the French Riviera on Thursday for a bilateral summit aimed at strengthening cooperation between two of Europe’s largest economies, following Meloni’s recent fallout with US President Donald Trump.
Meloni, once considered one of Trump’s closest European allies, has recently distanced herself from the US president after accusing him of making “constant, unprovoked attacks.” Her meeting with Macron in Antibes marked an effort by the two leaders to build on a developing rapprochement despite long-standing political differences.
The summit was the first Franco-Italian bilateral meeting since a strategic alliance treaty between the two countries came into force in 2021, placing relations at a level comparable to France’s partnership with Germany.
The French presidency said the discussions would focus on expanding cooperation in key strategic areas, including defence, nuclear energy and space. Ahead of the talks at the Villa Eilenroc, a 19th-century residence overlooking the Mediterranean, the Élysée Palace said, “We need each other.”
The meeting highlighted a shift in relations between Macron, a pro-European centrist, and Meloni, who leads a coalition of right-wing and far-right parties in Italy. Although the two leaders have often disagreed on European policy, they have worked to reduce tensions, including during a lengthy private meeting in Rome last year.
Their improving relationship was also visible during previous encounters, including a meeting in Paris in April when Meloni arrived for a summit on securing the Strait of Hormuz. Macron greeted her with an enthusiastic double kiss, an exchange that drew attention after a video of Meloni’s surprised reaction circulated widely.
Analysts said the latest talks reflected a changing political position for Meloni, who had previously sought to act as a link between Europe and Trump’s administration. Marc Lazar, an Italy specialist at Sciences Po in Paris, said Meloni and Macron were attempting to strengthen their cooperation despite unresolved disagreements.
Lazar said Meloni’s distancing from Trump could benefit Macron, while political science lecturer Sergio Fabbrini of Rome’s Luiss University said the Italian leader had previously used her relationship with Trump to challenge the European Union.
Fabbrini said Meloni now faced the need to re-engage with the EU, particularly on defence issues. He described a contrast between the two leaders, saying Macron held greater influence at the European level while Meloni remained stronger domestically in Italy.
The two countries share positions on some issues, including opposition to the European Union’s free trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc. However, differences remain over migration policy and Ukraine.
Meloni has pushed for migrant detention centres outside the EU, a policy that differs from Macron’s position. The Italian leader also opposes sending Italian troops to Ukraine, even after a potential peace agreement, to provide security guarantees to Kyiv.
During the summit, France and Italy were expected to sign a defence cooperation roadmap focusing on areas including the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system supplied to Ukraine. Additional agreements were also planned on nuclear energy cooperation and a European satellite initiative intended to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink network.
Herve Derrey, chief executive of Thales Alenia Space, said during a Franco-Italian economic forum that space had become increasingly important for military purposes amid conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
