Meloni-Macron summit: the Prime Minister says, ‘We did not take part in the conflict in Iran; Rutte has confused the authorised flights’
Together with the French President, he has launched a joint initiative for the post-UNIFIL period in Lebanon. Governments have expressed their support for Bromo, the European satellite alliance
from our correspondent in Antibes Manuela Perrone
Key points
“Italia did not take part in the conflict in Iran; otherwise, the US President’s disappointment would be inexplicable. Rutte got the type of authorised flights wrong, corrected himself and then clarified the matter.” Giorgia Meloni speaks at the conclusion of the 36th Italy–France intergovernmental summit taking place in Antibes.
Rutte speaks of an ‘enthusiastic reconstruction’
Echoing the harsh remarks made by the Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, who had shortly before described the comments made on Wednesday by the NATO Secretary-General as ‘random remarks’, the Prime Minister clarified that Rutte had indulged in an ‘enthusiastic interpretation’ of the use of US bases in Italia: ‘Tajani spoke with his Iranian counterpart, and it seems to me that the Iranian side too has realised there was a misunderstanding. I cannot say how this simplistic account came about – it was probably an attempt to prepare as well as possible for the upcoming NATO summit – but we must be cautious when discussing such matters.” Because Rome has honoured its commitments and agreements, without ever going beyond them.
‘Without Italia and France, Europe would not be the same’
At Villa Eilenroc, under a scorching sun, the Quirinale Treaty – signed in 2021 by Mario Draghi, despite opposition from Fdi – is being unblocked. Times have changed and, despite four years marked by disagreements and misunderstandings, Meloni and Emmanuel Macron are attempting to call a truce. ‘Without Italia and France, Europe would not be the same,’ says the Prime Minister. Strengthening bilateral cooperation is, after all, an essential step at a time of US disengagement from Europe and Donald Trump’s unrestrained attacks on allies, which continued even yesterday.
‘Relations have never been frosty’
“I believe that the cooperation between Italia and France shows that our relations have not been frosty; they have been serious relations between people discussing politics,” Meloni replied to those asking the two leaders about the state of their relationship. “I also found it rather amusing to see what went on behind the scenes: we are two people who defend our national interests, but who know how to work together. This requires candour even when we disagree, and there have been times when we have disagreed.” Macron also played down the tension, pointing to the excellent state of cooperation – including economic collaboration – between the two countries.
Defence in the spotlight
First, the Prime Minister once again congratulated Macron on the G7 summit, which she described as ‘a great success in a particularly complex context’. She then recalled the many joint meetings held over recent weeks to emphasise the importance of the bilateral relationship. “We want to focus on the most strategic issues, first and foremost defence. I am thinking of the Samp T programme, the only entirely European long-range air defence and anti-missile system,” said the Prime Minister.
