Macron and Meloni to Hold First Bilateral Summit in Antibes on June 25

France and Italy are set to hold their first joint intergovernmental summit on June 25 in Antibes, France. The meeting, a product of the six-year-old Quirinal Treaty, aims to deepen cooperation across strategic sectors including defense, space, energy, and infrastructure.

The summit will essentially function as a joint cabinet meeting between the two nations. This event marks the third rescheduling for the strategic meeting, with previous planned locations including Toulouse and Cannes. These changes may reflect the nuanced diplomatic relationship between the Élysée Palace and Palazzo Chigi in recent months.

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This summit will offer the opportunity to deepen Franco-Italian cooperation in various strategic sectors, particularly defense, space, energy, and infrastructure.

A significant outcome expected from the summit is the green light for Project Bromo. This joint venture between Italian firm Leonardo and European giants Airbus and Thales seeks to merge their space divisions, creating a unified European entity capable of global competition.

According to a statement from the Élysée, the summit will provide an opportunity to discuss major European and international issues and explore ways to strengthen ties between French and Italian civil society, with a particular focus on youth and culture. Prior to the summit, which will include nine Italian ministers, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to visit the Picasso Museum.

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The two leaders will also discuss major European and international issues and ways to strengthen ties between French and Italian civil society, particularly through youth and culture.