Macron and Meloni hold first bilateral summit in Antibes to mend ties
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Antibes, France, for their first bilateral summit since a 2021 strategic treaty. The meeting aimed to deepen cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, and space, including a defense roadmap for the SAMP/T air system and a European satellite project to rival Starlink. The summit was prompted by Meloni’s rift with U.S. President Donald Trump, pushing her closer to European allies. While they agreed on opposing the EU-Mercosur trade deal, they remained divided on migrant detention plans and sending Italian troops to Ukraine.
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Macron, Meloni seek united front in Riviera talks
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held talks on the French Riviera to coordinate a unified European stance on key geopolitical issues, including migration, energy policy, and relations with China. The meeting aimed to bridge differences between the two countries ahead of European Union summits. Both leaders emphasized the need for a common European approach to challenges such as illegal immigration and economic competitiveness. The discussions also touched on support for Ukraine and managing tensions with Russia. The outcome signals a potential alignment between France and Italy on core EU policies, despite their differing political orientations.
"site:euractiv.com" - Google NewsMacron and Meloni seek united front at Riviera summit
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held their first bilateral summit in Antibes, projecting a united front after years of tense ties. The leaders deepened cooperation in defence, space, and energy, signing a five-year roadmap on Aster missiles and SAMP/T air defence systems. They proposed a multinational coalition to replace the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in Lebanon and reaffirmed support for a European satellite project to rival Elon Musk's Starlink. Macron emphasized keeping the US close despite expected changes in relations, while Meloni distanced herself from Trump after his 'constant, unprovoked attacks' at the G7. The two leaders agreed on opposing the EU-Mercosur trade deal but remained divided on migrant detention centers outside the EU and sending Italian troops to Ukraine.
EuractivMacron and Meloni seek united front in Riviera talks on defence, space, and energy
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held their first bilateral summit in Antibes, France, seeking to deepen cooperation in defence, space, and energy after years of strained ties. The meeting marked the first summit since a 2021 strategic alliance treaty elevated relations to a level comparable to France-Germany ties. Macron dismissed suggestions of tensions, saying 'there is nothing glacial anymore.' The leaders proposed a multinational coalition to succeed the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in Lebanon and signed a five-year defence roadmap focusing on Aster missiles and SAMP/T air defence systems. They also reaffirmed support for a European satellite project to rival Elon Musk's Starlink. While they agreed on opposing the EU-Mercosur trade deal, they remained divided on Italy's migrant detention centers outside the EU and on sending Italian troops to Ukraine. Meloni recently distanced herself from US President Donald Trump after a G7 summit.
EuractivMacron hosts Meloni for Franco-Italian summit after Trump rift
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Antibes, France, on June 25, 2026, for their first bilateral summit since a 2021 strategic treaty took effect. The talks aimed to deepen cooperation on defence, nuclear energy, and space, including a roadmap on the SAMP/T air defence system for Ukraine and an agreement to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink. Relations between the pro-European centrist Macron and right-wing Meloni have often been strained, but Meloni recently distanced herself from US President Donald Trump after what she called his 'constant, unprovoked attacks'. Analysts noted an asymmetry: Macron is strong in Europe but weak at home, while Meloni is strong domestically but weak at the European level. The leaders agree on opposing the EU-Mercosur trade deal but differ on migrant detention centres and sending Italian troops to Ukraine.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Macron hosts Meloni in bid to smooth ties after Trump rift
French President Emmanuel Macron hosts Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Antibes, France, for their first bilateral summit since a strategic alliance treaty came into force in 2021. The meeting aims to deepen cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, and space, despite historically tense relations between the centrist Macron and the right-wing Meloni. The summit is prompted in part by Meloni's recent fallout with U.S. President Donald Trump, which has pushed her closer to European allies. A viral video showed Macron greeting Meloni with an enthusiastic double kiss in April. While they agree on opposing the EU-Mercosur trade deal, they remain divided on Italy's migrant detention plans and sending Italian troops to Ukraine. Expected outcomes include a roadmap on defense, emphasizing the SAMP/T air defense system, and agreements in nuclear energy and a European satellite project to rival Starlink.
EuractivMacron Hosts Meloni in Bid to Smooth Franco-Italian Ties Amid Trump Rift
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Antibes for their first bilateral summit since a 2021 strategic treaty took effect, aiming to ease often strained relations. The meeting comes after Meloni distanced herself from US President Donald Trump over what she called his 'constant, unprovoked attacks.' Both leaders, though ideologically different—Macron a centrist, Meloni a right-wing populist—share opposition to the EU-Mercosur trade deal. However, they diverge on Italy's migrant detention plan and deploying Italian troops to Ukraine. The summit is expected to produce a defense roadmap emphasizing the SAMP/T air defense system for Ukraine, a nuclear energy cooperation deal, and an agreement on a European satellite project to rival Elon Musk's Starlink. Analysts see the rapprochement as pragmatic: both countries need each other on key strategic issues.
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