Antibes, Macron and Meloni strengthen the Italy-France axis: Europe would not be the same without us

During the 36th bilateral summit in Antibes, Italy and France reaffirmed their strategic partnership, while French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted the importance of close cooperation between the two countries for the stability of Europe and the West.

At the close of the meeting, Macron declared that “Italy and France are indispensable partners. This is the meaning of the Quirinal Treaty that we signed,” stressing that their ties are based on mutual respect and cooperation. Meloni, for her part, said that “without Italy and France, Europe and the West would not be what they are,” describing this alliance as decisive for the future of the European Union.

The meeting, which had been postponed several times since 2020, took place in an atmosphere described as positive and filled with a spirit of unity, even though there had previously been political differences between Paris and Rome. Both leaders insisted that their relationship is not frozen, but is grounded in serious political debate and the defense of national interests.

“We defend our interests, but we are capable of working together respectfully,” Meloni said, while Macron added that “there is nothing icy between us.”

At the joint press conference, both sides spoke in warm and cooperative tones, exchanging mutual praise and direct messages, while the summit concluded with the signing of seven new agreements.

Energy was one of the main points of discussion, with cooperation confirmed on the development of civilian nuclear energy and new technologies, including third-generation modular reactors. Edison and Électricité de France, together with other industrial players, signed a declaration for the joint development of energy projects with a 2035 horizon.

Meloni also expressed gratitude to Macron for organizing the G7 summit in Evian, which she called an important moment for reshaping the West’s positions on Ukraine. She also clarified the recent statements by the NATO Secretary General, stressing that Italy has not taken part in the conflict in Iran and has acted only in the logistical and technical aspects.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the summit produced a broad package of agreements covering energy, space, innovation and infrastructure, including joint railway projects and strategic investments for economic development.

According to Macron and Meloni, this cooperation marks a new stage in Italian-French relations, with a focus on strengthening Europe’s strategic independence and increasing its weight on the international stage.