Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Antibes to bolster Franco-Italian relations, particularly following recent disagreements between Meloni and former US President Donald Trump. This bilateral summit marks the first since a 2021 treaty aimed to elevate the strategic alliance between the two countries to a level comparable with the Franco-German partnership. Discussions will focus on deepening cooperation in key areas including defence, nuclear energy, and space exploration. Despite historical tensions stemming from differing political ideologies – Macron being a centrist and Meloni leading a right-wing coalition – both leaders have demonstrated a willingness to improve ties, as evidenced by previous meetings. The French presidency emphasized the mutual benefit of this strengthened partnership, stating, “We need each other.” Analysts suggest the meeting aims to build on a recent thaw in relations, despite underlying disagreements, and position Italy within a stronger European framework.