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French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the French seaside resort of Antibes on Thursday, in a meeting aimed at building on a nascent rapprochement and tightening ties between the European Union's second- and third-largest economies.

The summit, held at the Villa Eilenroc, a 19th-century residence overlooking the Mediterranean, was the first Franco-Italian summit since a treaty on a strategic alliance came into force in 2021, elevating bilateral relations to a level comparable to that between France and Germany, as reported by Dawn, RFI — English, and The Hindu — World.

The talks came at a delicate moment for Meloni, shortly after a public fallout with US President Donald Trump, and were expected to focus on deepening cooperation in strategic sectors such as defence, nuclear energy, and space.

Coverage Comparison

The three outlets that covered the summit — Dawn, RFI — English, and The Hindu — World — reported broadly similar details. All noted that the meeting marked the first Franco-Italian summit since the 2021 strategic alliance treaty, and all quoted the French presidency as saying the summit would strengthen cooperation in defence, nuclear energy, and space, with the Elysee adding, "We need each other."

RFI — English emphasised the relationship's history of "tension and rivalry," framing the summit as an effort to "smooth over" those strains against a shifting international backdrop. Dawn and The Hindu — World described the meeting in more neutral terms, focusing on diplomatic relations and mutual interests, and both used the word "spat" to describe Meloni's recent exchange with Trump.

All three sources noted that Macron and Meloni have worked to ease tensions despite their political differences, pointing to a lengthy one-on-one meeting in Rome in June last year as a turning point.

Key Claims

* The meeting was the first Franco-Italian summit since a treaty on a strategic alliance came into force in 2021, elevating relations to a level comparable to that between France and Germany, as reported by Dawn, RFI — English, and The Hindu — World. * The summit aimed to deepen cooperation in strategic sectors such as defence, nuclear energy, and space, according to the French presidency, as cited by all three outlets. * Meloni had a public fallout with US President Donald Trump before the meeting, as reported by all three outlets. * Macron and Meloni have worked to ease tensions despite disagreements, notably during a lengthy one-on-one meeting in Rome in June last year, as reported by all three outlets. * The two countries were expected to sign a roadmap on defence, notably emphasising the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system delivered to Ukraine, according to reports from multiple sources. * A cooperation agreement was also to be signed on nuclear energy along with another on the planned European satellite powerhouse to rival Elon Musk's Starlink, according to reports from multiple sources. * Meloni opposes sending Italian troops to Ukraine, even in a post-war scenario, to provide security guarantees to Kyiv, according to reports from multiple sources. * Macron and Meloni share common ground on some issues, including opposition to the European Union's free trade agreement with South America's Mercosur bloc, according to reports from multiple sources.

Perspectives

French Presidency

The French presidency framed the summit as an opportunity to deepen Franco-Italian cooperation in several strategic sectors, saying "We need each other" ahead of the talks, as reported by all three outlets.

Marc Lazar, Italy specialist at Sciences Po

Marc Lazar, an Italy specialist at Sciences Po in Paris, said Meloni and Macron would try to build on a nascent rapprochement, despite lingering disagreements. He described the encounter with a touch of irony: "There will be photos, they'll kiss each other warmly on both cheeks, and she'll stop sulking when she sees Macron," as reported by RFI — English and The Hindu — World.

Meloni's Position on Ukraine and Trade

Meloni had long sought to position herself as a bridge between Europe and Trump, but following a G7 summit in France, she has distanced herself from the US leader. She also opposes sending Italian troops to Ukraine, even in a post-war scenario, and shares with Macron opposition to the EU's free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, according to multiple reports.