Macron hosts Meloni to deepen EU ties after Trump spat

French President Emmanuel Macron will host Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a summit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in key strategic sectors. The meeting, held at the Villa Eilenroc on the French Riviera, marks the first formal Franco-Italian summit since a strategic alliance treaty took effect in 2021, elevating relations to a level comparable to those between France and Germany.

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We need each other.

The agenda includes deepening cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, and space. Despite Macron's pro-European centrist stance and Meloni's leadership of a right-wing coalition, the two leaders have worked to ease past tensions. Their relationship, though often strained, has seen efforts towards rapprochement, including a significant one-on-one meeting in Rome last year.

Analysts note that Meloni, having recently distanced herself from former US President Donald Trump over his "constant, unprovoked attacks," may be pivoting towards strengthening ties within the European Union. This shift could be strategically beneficial for Meloni, who is perceived as domestically strong but weaker at the European level, contrasting with Macron's position.

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There will be photos, they’ll kiss each other warmly on both cheeks, and she’ll stop sulking when she sees Macron.

While common ground exists on issues like opposition to the EU's trade deal with Mercosur, divisions remain on others, such as Italy's proposal for migrant detention centers outside the EU and Meloni's stance on sending troops to Ukraine for post-war security guarantees. The summit seeks to navigate these complexities and build on a nascent rapprochement.

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Now she finds herself without Trump and is forced to return to the European Union, particularly in terms of defence.