Macron and Meloni pledge stronger EU ties after recent tensions

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.

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