“We need to create a true European common defense”. It is perhaps one of Mario Draghi’s most important positions after his meeting with French President Macron. A common agenda on major issues and shared priorities, from European defense to the issue of migrants, from the digital transition to environmental issues, without forgetting the economic front and the rules of the Stability Pact. Italy and France strengthen their collaboration with a treaty that was signed today at the Quirinale after months of negotiations between the two countries.
Italy-France Treaty, the signing of Draghi and Macron in front of Mattarella
The treaty aims to strengthen cooperation between Italy and France also with the periodic participation of one or more ministers of one government in a Council of ministers of the other government. An agreement that follows the one ratified in 2019 between France and Germany to strengthen the international action of the European Union and which also looks to Berlin and the “after Merkel”. The treaty, Mattarella said yesterday “is an important result”.
The signing of the Quirinal Treaty was followed by a long and intense handshake between Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Macron and the Head of State Sergio Mattarella, at the end of which there was an applause. Foreign ministers Luigi di Maio and Jean-Yves Le Drian were also present at the ceremony. Shortly after, while the respective national anthems were being played at the Colle, the Frecce Tricolori in double formation darted across the sky of Rome, one with the colors of the Italian flag and another with the French ones.
The Quirinale Treaty signed this morning by Prime Minister Mario Draghi and President Emmanuel Macron is 14 pages long. Among other things, the preamble states «the objective of a democratic, united and sovereign Europe to respond to the global challenges that the Parties are facing; reaffirming in this regard the common commitment to deepen the European project in line with shared responsibility as founding countries, in compliance with the values of the Union and the principle of solidarity “. The chapters of the treaty range from foreign affairs, security and defense, to economic, industrial and digital cooperation. And again: migration policies, justice and home affairs, education, space, social development, culture and youth, cross-border cooperation.
The premier remembers Valeria Solesin, an Italian victim at the Bataclan
Prime Minister Draghi opened his press conference recalling Valeria Solesin, “killed along with many French and young people of other nationalities in the vile attack” of the Bataclan in Paris six years ago. Draghi then declared: «From today, Italy and France are closer. This enhanced cooperation treaty marks a historic moment in the relations of the two countries. Italy and France consolidate their closeness and their ties ».
“We, Italy and France, share much more than borders, our history, our art, our economies and society have been intertwined for some time. The institutions that we have the honor to represent are based on the same republican values, on respect for human and civil rights, on Europeanism “added the Italian premier who also thanked President Mattarella for promoting this agreement. With this signature, «we equip Europe with tools that make it stronger. Our objectives are the ecological transition, the fight against climate change, the digital transaction, the search for European sovereignty. These are the same objectives of the Union ».
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Agreement which, as confirmed by Draghi, will see a strong common commitment also against terrorism. Furthermore, “Just today a cooperation agreement on the subject of space between Italy and France was also concluded, which was the result of intense negotiations that led to this successful result”. The rotation between the ministers of the two countries has also been confirmed: “At least once every quarter an Italian minister will participate in a council of ministers of the French government and vice versa”. In addition, a cross-border cooperation committee is also born: “We recognize the need for a policy for the management of migratory flows shared by the European Union based on principles of solidarity and responsibility”.
Every day the relations between Italy and France «are enriched with new experiences of training, work, life. I am thinking of the many young students and researchers who leave to spend a period – short or long – in our respective countries ». “We are allies in the great global challenges, from the management of the pandemic to the fight against climate change”, remarked Draghi. Finally he explained that “Our sovereignty, understood as the ability to direct the future as we want, can only be strengthened through a shared management of common challenges. We want to favor and accelerate the process of European integration ».
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Macron spoke after the Italian premier and confirmed that this treaty is “a sign of the deep friendship between the two countries” and he too wanted to thank Mattarella who “followed the path of this agreement”.
“Rome represents a lot for the destiny of Europe” explained the French president who reiterated that “France and Italy must do everything together and we did it in this recent period, fighting together against the coronavirus, for example, and for Libya “. With this agreement, there will be “an even more exemplary concentration on borders” and “a common geopolitical vision will be created: we share the European and international vision, we will contribute to building a stronger common European defense that contributes to NATO, we will have enhanced cooperation in the fight against illegal migrations and traffickers, to protect Europe’s external borders, ”Macron explained.
“Friendship with Rome does not replace that with Berlin” clarified the owner of the Elysée: “Angela Merkel is still in office, I spoke to her this morning to coordinate initiatives in the face of the new variant of the virus. I have too much respect and friendship for you to speak of a new ally. In France it is said that when things go wrong with Germany, they look to Italy. But it does not work like this: Europe is built at 27, we must not look for substitutes for one or the other in the various alliances, they are relationships that are completed and strengthened ». Macron, however, harshly criticized Boris Johnson and the letter sent to him publicly, in which Paris is asked to take back all the migrants who have crossed the English Channel. “I’m surprised by the methods when they’re not serious, you don’t communicate between leaders in public messages and via Twitter,” Macron said.
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The French president will also meet the Pope with whom he will talk about climate, Lebanon and vaccines: “I have already talked about migrants with Pope Francis, an extremely lucid and vigilant man on the problems of the world“.