Emmanuel Macron in Naples for a summit against a background of coronavirus

Text by: RFI Follow

President Emmanuel Macron landed in Naples early Thursday afternoon on Thursday, February 27 for a summit with Italian council president Giuseppe Conte. This summit was planned for a long time to discuss the situation of migrants, Libya and also the revival of cooperation between the two countries. But the coronavirus epidemic has imposed itself on the program of this summit.

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With our special correspondent in Naples , Juliette Gheerbrant

Panic has not reached Naples yet, but the concern is still there. And not just for health reasons. A couple who run a newsstand and souvenir kiosk expect to see fewer and fewer tourists. This echoes the statements of those responsible for the sector in the press, all of them, hoteliers, tour operators, have already noted an impact of the coronavirus on tourist frequentation in the city.

See Naples

A context that will not prevent President Emmanuel Macron from walking around a city he particularly likes. A beautiful cultural program awaits the Macron spouses. First, a visit to the San Ferdinando theater, the Eduardo de Filippo theater. For the record of Filippo is the author who brought together Emmanuel Macron and his future wife Brigitte. The presidential couple will then go to the Sansevero chapel, a masterpiece of the Neapolitan baroque, which contains large works of art. The summit begins at 4.30 p.m. at the Royal Palace of Naples.

This summit should act to revive relations and projects between the two countries, after the discord that prevailed when Matteo Salvini was vice-president of the Council. A cold spell that became downright icy when Paris briefly recalled its ambassador in an unprecedented diplomatic crisis since the Second World War. A dinner will be offered after the summit by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Matarella.

Rome, Paris' crucial ally in the EU

For this important meeting, 11 French ministers are accompanying President Macron, because there are many files that have been revived or to be consolidated. For example, in the fields of industry and economics, notably with the Naviris joint venture, between Fincantieri and Naval Group. But also in the fields of defense, security and immigration with Libyan files, that of the Sahel; or in the fields of transport, education and culture.

Finally, it will obviously be about Europe. There is convergence on the main axes in terms of European policy, it is explained at the Elysée, and it seems that Italy is more than ever a crucial partner for Emmanuel Macron within the 27.

► Read also: Coronavirus: "The French did not panic"

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• coronavirus
• Emmanuel Macron
• Giuseppe Conte

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