Europe on the front line: Macron calls Meloni, military means in Cyprus and the Mediterranean to defend navigation

In a moment of profound geopolitical uncertainty, with the shadows of the Iranian conflict extending over the Middle East and beyond, Europe seems finally ready to demonstrate cohesion and determination. This morning, in fact, French President Emmanuel Macron took the opportunity to call Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, proposing concrete coordination: the dispatch of military assets to Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean, with the aim of preserving freedom of navigation even in the strategic Red Sea. This is what has emerged from Élysée sources, a signal that goes beyond words and translates into tangible actions to address a crisis that threatens vital trade routes and regional security.

The conversation between Meloni and Macron, confirmed by a note from Palazzo Chigi, delved deeply into the implications of the conflict: not only the Middle Eastern framework but the entire global chessboard, with particular attention to navigation hindered by hostilities. The two leaders reaffirmed a shared commitment to support the Gulf nations under Iranian attack – described as “unjustifiable” – and to avoid escalation in Lebanon, keeping Cyprus at the center of priorities. “We will maintain close contact on the evolution of the crisis,” the note reads, a pact that reflects the need for a rapid and united European response.

Europe beyond the market: Brunetta's vision

As leaders move on the operational front, in Viterbo, CNEL President Renato Brunetta, from the stage of the ECR conference “Between Stone and Spirit,” issues a vibrant appeal: Europe must stop seeing itself as a mere market to become a leading global player. To decipher the “geopolitical chaos,” Brunetta recalls Steve Jobs' metaphor of “connecting the dots”: isolated, events seem to herald decline; connected, they outline a positive scenario for the continent. Citing Jean Monnet, he reminds that Europe has always been forged in crises, giving birth to less spectacular decisions in the immediate but more solid and democratic over time.

Brunetta goes further, proposing a “pragmatic federalism” modeled after Mario Draghi: not an indiscriminate cession of sovereignty, nor a weak confederal alliance, but a rational distribution of competencies. Key tool? “Enhanced cooperation”, which allows for majority decisions on vital issues, preserving formal unanimity. A reference to the recent words of Meloni on the effectiveness of shared solutions, which could accelerate integration just as international urgencies knock at the door.

Meloni: French nuclear yes, but not under European control

Guest on “Non Stop News” on Rtl 102.5, Giorgia Meloni has drawn a clear line on European strategic autonomy. Paris has long spoken of its nuclear arsenal as an “umbrella” for Europe, but “under no circumstances does France intend to place it under European control,” the Prime Minister clarified. An important contribution to the security debate, yes, but always within the NATO framework: “Our framework remains the Atlantic Alliance,” she reiterated, emphasizing the existing guarantees.

Absolute priority, however, is for fellow citizens: “Tens of thousands of Italians in the area – military, diplomats, tourists in transit – need to be put in safety.” Meloni announced the first flights from Dubai and convoys to safe airports in neighboring countries, thanking United Arab Emirates and Oman, “friendly countries that are helping us.” A humanitarian operation that runs parallel to military moves.

France in action: repatriations and containment

On the other side of the Alps, Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin confirmed new repatriation flights from the Emirates, with slots negotiated locally for a quick return to France. “The goal is to do it as soon as possible,” she specified. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon, interviewed by Tf1, described the French posture as “defensive and containment”: “We are not at war, we did not want this conflict. We are helping regional partners ensure their security, avoiding escalation.”

Bregeon also addressed the fuel price increases, which have risen by "several cents" at some pumps since the beginning of the Middle Eastern crisis. Today at Bercy, a meeting is scheduled with the sector and the Minister of Economy Roland Lescure to ensure "full transparency" on prices, amid provincial disparities that fuel tensions.