Meeting between M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Mr Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Rome (11 July 2025)

M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting on 11 July with his Italian counterpart, Mr Antonio Tajani, on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference held in Rome. The meeting built on President Macron’s meeting with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, in Rome on 3 June.

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and his counterpart praised the excellent momentum in the Franco-Italian relationship, governed by the Quirinal Treaty signed on 26 November 2021. They welcomed the announcement on 3 June of the next bilateral summit in France at the beginning of 2026, which will focus especially on young people.

More than three years after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Ministers reaffirmed France and Italy’s continued, unfailing support for Ukraine. They welcomed the level of ambition of the new sanctions package being negotiated at European level, which must be adopted swiftly to enable us to step up pressure on Russia and force it into a ceasefire.

The Ministers reviewed the situation in Gaza, recalling that it is urgent to achieve an immediate, permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all the hostages and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid. They also stressed de-escalation at regional level following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran – which must endure – and the achievement of a diplomatic solution on the supervision of Iran’s nuclear programme. The Ministers shared their concern over the situation in Libya.

The Ministers reiterated their shared commitment to defending the EU’s trade interests, in particular by making sure to protect European farmers. In this regard, France and Italy will pay special attention to protecting the distinctive features of the Common Agricultural Policy in the European Union’s next Multiannual Financial Framework. Finally, the ministers agreed to continue their cooperation on migration, essential for strengthening both the control of our external borders and our leverage in relation to third countries.