The pinnacle of the thaw. This is the name given to the meeting that will be held this afternoon, at 18pm, at Palazzo Chigi between the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the French president Emanuel Macron.
It is well known that there is no harmony (or sympathy) between the two, but after months of tensions, which reached their peak in Tirana at the summit of those willing for Ukraine, the two leaders meet in Rome to try to smooth out differences or, at least, find a way to collaborate for the good of Europe in a very delicate period for the old continent, busy, between duties and wars, to face very important challenges. And from the Italian and French capitals, nothing is expected other than the photo of the Macron-Meloni duo to act as a counterpoint to the now infamous shot in Albania from which the Italian Prime Minister was absent.
Paris: “Important visit”. Rome: “Very positive signal”
This is an “important” visit, they let the Elysée know. To "talk to each other", "progress together" on the crucial issues of the moment. Starting from Ukraine and passing through the crisis in the Middle East, the internal issues of the European balance (is there also talk of the ESM?) and obviously the duties. Even if in this last case, the Elysée emphasizes, it is the European Commission that decides.
In Rome, however, the meeting is spoken of as “a very positive signal, excellent“. Because Italy and France, is the reasoning being made at Palazzo Chigi, are “friendly nations” and have “common positions” on many more issues than is being said.
The distances between Meloni and Macron and the themes of the meeting
Despite the words of relaxation pronounced on the eve, it is undeniable that Rome and Paris are further apart than ever on many dossiers. The aim of the meeting will therefore be to find a meeting point, avoiding fueling divisions in a crucial period for the European Union and for individual countries. "There is absolutely no ostracism towards Meloni” who has “always participated in the meetings”, they assure from Paris, pouring oil on the fire of a karst conflict that has characterized the relationship between the two from the beginning.
And already on the eve some signals arrived. On the question of “formats” like that of the willing Rome has always only posed "a question of effectiveness", the Melonians lower their tone. And even from the Elysée they specify that "the formats can vary" and "among Europeans" the issue must be managed "according to the principle of the best impact that can be obtained according to the circumstances". Moreover, in the Parisian reconstruction, the trip to Kiev (always absent Meloni) had been "an initiative of the German Chancellor" Friedrich Merz. Not Macron. In short, no rudeness, at least from the French president. The important thing, they insist from Paris, is to be basically "in agreement", and focus on “the essentials”. As the “unwavering support” for Ukraine, even more important after the minimal results achieved in the second round of negotiations in Istanbul.
"The foundations" must be laid for a "strengthening of relations" between two "founding nations of the Union", Italian sources also told Ansa, underlining the "deep bilateral relations" and the “strategic level economic collaboration” – perhaps by unblocking that Quirinale Treaty which, beyond the contents, well represents the political harmony between two cousin countries. New integrations between the two economies should also be addressed with a focus on research and cutting-edge technologies.
Other issues on the table include: automotive, competitiveness, defense and migrants, but also the ways to find the “enormous resources” needed to finance the European strategic priorities. With a “mix” that according to Rome must include private investments and common funds.
