Calay News
French President Emmanuel Macron will receive Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a bid to confirm détente in the relationship between the two European Union (EU) countries after a series of diplomatic crises related to migration.
“Italy is our second economic partner; it is our European brother; they are our neighbors,” French government spokesman Olivier Véran told CNews hours before the first meeting in Paris between the two leaders, scheduled for the afternoon.
The governments of Macron, who defines himself as a pro-European centrist, and Meloni, leader of an ultra-conservative coalition since October, have staged clashes, especially in relation to the management of migration.
Paris denounced as “unacceptable” Rome’s decision to refuse in November the disembarkation of the humanitarian ship Ocean Viking, which had on board 230 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean and eventually taken in by France.
However, tension peaked when French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said in May that the Italian prime minister was “incapable of solving the migratory problems for which she was elected.”
Rome demanded apologies, and, at the same time, the two countries’ diplomacies worked to restore ties.
“Despite the political and ideological differences between the two governments, Meloni and Macron are aware that France and Italy must act together,” said historian Marc Lazar, a professor at Sciences Po University, speaking to AFP.
Common interests include support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion and the renegotiation of the European Financial Stability Pact, according to the specialist.
In addition to diplomatic détente, Giorgia Meloni is traveling to Paris to promote Rome’s bid to host the 2030 Universal Exposition. France has already expressed its support for the proposal submitted by Saudi Arabia.
