In the midst of a political truce but without relaxing diplomacy, the French president Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met this Friday in Versailles, on the occasion of the equestrian events of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The two leaders took advantage of this informal meeting to discuss several burning international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and Venezuela. According to press releases from their respective services, these questions dominated the exchanges between Macron and Meloni.
Discussions on Venezuela and the Middle East
The political crisis in Venezuela, exacerbated by the contested re-election of Nicolás Maduro, was one of the central points of their conversation. Since the announcement of the results, marked by accusations of fraud by the opposition, massive demonstrations have broken out across the country.
The Middle East, also experiencing escalating tensions, was another major topic of discussion. The assassination of two Hamas leaders by Israel, including one in Iran, has reignited tensions in the region. In response, Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah promised significant retaliation.
Diplomatic understanding and European rivalry
The Élysée confirmed that the discussions also covered “main bilateral issues”. Although Macron, a pro-European centrist, and Meloni, from the post-fascist far right, often display their understanding on diplomatic issues, their rivalry on the European scene remains palpable.
During the G7 summit in Italy in June, Macron expressed his regret at the absence of the term “abortion” in the final communiqué, highlighting the differences in sensitivity between the French and Italian governments. Meloni had criticized Macron, accusing him of campaigning under the cover of the summit.
Alice Leroy
