French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Rome on Tuesday. He met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The visit marked an effort to fix their often strained relationship.
Despite Agreement on Ukraine, Other Issues Divide Them
Both leaders agree on supporting Ukraine. However, they differ sharply on other matters. For instance, they clash on U.S. trade tariffs, the role of the European Union, and how to handle Russia.
Moreover, their disagreements have played out in public. They have exchanged jabs on multiple occasions. Still, Macron made the first move to reset ties, signaling a willingness to move forward.
Macron and Meloni: Two Very Different Leaders
Macron is a centrist and a pro-European liberal. He promotes international cooperation and believes in EU unity. Conversely, Meloni is a right-wing nationalist. She opposes excessive EU control and comes from a working-class, anti-immigration background.
To Meloni, Macron represents the elite. He attended top schools and worked in investment banking. She, on the other hand, has built her career standing against such figures.
Their Global Approaches Also Differ
When it comes to international issues, Macron prefers strong EU-led action. He has taken a firm stance in dealing with the U.S. Meanwhile, Meloni often seeks direct talks with leaders like Donald Trump and favors a softer approach.
On Ukraine, both support the country’s defense. Yet Macron has shown openness to sending troops. In contrast, Meloni strongly opposes any such deployment.
Macron Takes the Lead to Rebuild Relations
Importantly, Macron requested the meeting. According to Reuters, he wanted to show “respect” and “friendship.” This was his first official visit to Italy since Meloni took office in 2022.
Additionally, sources told RFI that Macron sees himself as a unifying force in Europe. Therefore, he wants to build a better working relationship with Meloni.
Talks Address Shared Threats and Common Goals
During the meeting, both leaders focused on shared challenges. These included Russia’s growing influence in Libya, instability in the Middle East, and the political return of Donald Trump.
As a result, they issued a joint statement. In it, they pledged to “strengthen their common commitment to a more sovereign Europe” and to “coordinate their positions on transatlantic relations and the EU’s economic and security policies.”
Both Want a Stronger, Competitive Europe
They also discussed ways to boost Europe’s industrial and technological strength. This includes supporting key sectors like automotive, steel, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and space.
Furthermore, they emphasized that European companies must compete on fair terms. They agreed that bold EU-level action is needed to make this happen.
Joint Support for Ukraine and Stronger EU Defense
Finally, both leaders reaffirmed their “unwavering and unhesitating” support for Ukraine. They also called for “an ambitious change in scale” to improve Europe’s military strength and defense readiness.
