In Antibes, during the 36th bilateral summit, Italy and France reaffirmed their strategic alliance, while French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted that close cooperation between the two states is crucial for the balance of Europe and the West.
At the close of the summit, Macron said that “Italy and France are indispensable partners. This is the meaning of the Quirinal Treaty that we signed,” stressing that the relationship between the two countries is based on mutual respect and joint work. Meloni, for her part, said that “without Italy and France, Europe and the West would not be what they are,” describing this partnership as key to the future of the European Union.
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The meeting, postponed several times since 2020, took place in a positive atmosphere and with messages of unity, even though relations between Rome and Paris had previously been marked by political differences. Both leaders underlined that their cooperation is not characterized by coldness, but by 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 leaders used warm and cooperative language, with direct statements and mutual praise. The summit also concluded with the signing of seven new agreements.
Energy was among the central issues in the discussions, with both sides reaffirming cooperation on 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 targeting the year 2035.
Meloni also thanked Macron for organizing the G7 summit in Evian, calling it an important moment for reorganizing the West’s positions toward Ukraine. At the same time, she clarified the recent statements of the NATO Secretary General, underlining that Italy has not taken part in the conflict in Iran and has been engaged only on the logistical and technical level.
At the end of the meeting, a broad package of agreements was presented, covering energy, space, innovation and infrastructure, as well as joint projects in the railway sector and strategic investments for economic development.
According to Macron and Meloni, this cooperation opens a new chapter in relations between Italy and France, with an emphasis on strengthening Europe’s strategic independence and expanding its role on the international stage.
