France and Italy: historical rivalries

Paris and Rome's dispute over the STX shipyards is just the tip of the iceberg and historical rivalries between the two countries are slowly re-emerging. These mostly relate to French activism in Europe and the 2011 intervention in Libya as well as deeper protectionist tendencies in France with regards to foreign investments. After the Paris summit on migration, President Macron will meet Italian Prime Minister Gentiloni in Lyon, at the end of September: it will be an occasion to clarify some of the outstanding issues and promote an outward image of cooperation as EU member states.