French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in Rome on Tuesday, pledging to strengthen cooperation on key European and international issues following weeks of public friction over Ukraine, trade, and relations with the United States.
In a joint statement following their three-hour summit, the leaders emphasised shared goals to bolster Europe’s competitiveness and industrial resilience. They identified sectors undergoing transition—such as automotive and steel—alongside advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, renewables, and space, calling for increased EU-level support.
On defence, Macron and Meloni reaffirmed their “unwavering” support for Ukraine and advocated for a significant scale-up in European defence capabilities. While Meloni has expressed caution regarding military engagement, particularly in relation to French-led initiatives such as peacekeeping missions, the statement underlined a unified commitment to long-term backing for Kyiv.
Trade was another key area of discussion. Despite Meloni’s strong transatlantic orientation and her reluctance to provoke trade tensions with the United States, both leaders concurred on the importance of securing fair conditions for European businesses.
The leaders also addressed Mediterranean security, focusing on concerns about a growing Russian presence in Libya. Although specific details were limited, both parties stressed the necessity of maintaining EU vigilance in the region.
The meeting, initiated by Macron, was seen as an effort to smooth over recent diplomatic tensions, including Meloni’s absence from a Kyiv visit and missed international engagements. The two agreed to reconvene for a follow-up summit in France in early 2026.
Despite ideological differences, the summit marked a step towards greater European unity in the face of mounting global challenges.
Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline after it was hit by a drone attack, with Riyadh and Baghdad sayin...
Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces struck two cargo vessels overnight in the Ukrainian Black Sea port o...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would “love” to see British-run Northern Ireland unify...
Overnight Iranian strikes on an air base in Jordan damaged multiple U.S. aircraft and left one without a wing, American media reported. Meanwhile, explosions were heard across parts of southern Iran according to local media reports.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the weekend BRICS summit, amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, joining a host of foreign dignitaries.
Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil refinery in Siberia and a seaport in Dagestan in the past 24 hours, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He will meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday to discuss air defences for Ukraine over winter.
Mexico and the U.S. are racing to secure a trade deal before the U.S. midterm elections in less than eight weeks, according to six sources familiar with the talks, with failed negotiations between Washington and Canada adding urgency.
Dubai’s property market has spent years climbing. Now, for the first time since 2021, prices are moving in the opposite direction.
Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline after it was hit by a drone attack, with Riyadh and Baghdad saying the strike originated from Iraq.
Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces struck two cargo vessels overnight in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Chornomorsk, the Interfax news agency reported on Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would “love” to see British-run Northern Ireland unify with Ireland, remarks made during a visit to Dublin that drew a sharp response from pro-British unionists in Northern Ireland.
BRICS leaders have called for maximum restraint over the war in the Middle East, warning against actions that could further worsen tensions as the United States and Iran resume strikes against each other.
Dubai’s property market has spent years climbing. Now, for the first time since 2021, prices are moving in the opposite direction.
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