Contribution by Avv. Laura Andreani.

On November 26, 2021, following a lengthy and complex negotiation, Italy and France signed a treaty, better known as the Quirinal Treaty, which aims to strengthen the relationship between Rome and Paris through periodic dialogue between administrations and a common agenda with major shared themes and priorities.

The treaty provides for enhanced cooperation on various topics, as well as advance sharing of choices to be made in the international landscape: United Nations, EU, NATO.

The treaty consists of a preamble and twelve articles.

The preamble recalls the values of peace and security, respect for human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, equality and the rule of law. Emphasis is also placed on the will to combat climate change and preserve biodiversity, with the concurrent common objective of a democratic, united and sovereign Europe to address global challenges. The importance of preserving the Single Market and the four fundamental freedoms as cornerstones and inexhaustible drivers of the European integration process is also recognized.

The twelve articles address numerous and strategic topics, and in particular: Foreign Affairs; Security and Defence; European Affairs; Migration Policies, Justice and Home Affairs; Economic, Industrial and Digital Cooperation; Social, Sustainable and Inclusive Development; Space; Education and Training, Research and Innovation; Culture, Youth and Civil Society; Cross-border Cooperation and Organization.

The Treaty, among other things, provides that (i) at least once every three months, an Italian minister participate in a meeting of the French government’s council of ministers, and vice versa, (ii) the establishment of stable mechanisms for enhanced consultations, both in case of crisis and on the eve of important deadlines, (iii) the scheduling of bi-annual meetings on research and innovation, with the participation of ministries responsible for Universities and Research, (iv) the pursuit of a European migration and asylum policy and integration policies based on the principles of responsibility and solidarity shared among Member States, and (v) the establishment of a joint civil service.

Furthermore, in order to verify the implementation of the Treaty, the parties shall organize an intergovernmental summit on an annual basis, during which to examine every priority matter of mutual interest.