The very discreet French defeat in Libya
(B2) Between Italy and France, on Libya, needless to say, there is sometimes some friction on the line. One of the objectives of today's meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg was above all, under the guise of repeating a message that may seem quite conventional - to support the peace process in Libya and the special envoy of the UN — to make 'peace' between European enemy brothers. A message delivered in the absence of any French ministerial representative (see box). Back to a 'small' defeat of Macron's diplomacy.
The takeover attempt on the Libyan reconciliation of Paris
Paris, with some talent, managed last May to take a head start and 'steal' Italy's historic leadership on the subject. By organizing a conference bringing together the four main Libyan actors, by announcing a date for the general elections before the end of the year, the Elysée had marked a blow (Read: Elections scheduled for December 10 in Libya. Historic agreement obtained in Paris) and, in passing, provoked a serious ire of the Italian neighbour, furious that we are stepping on his Libyan flowerbeds. Transalpine diplomats—and others as well—taxed the French initiative as counterproductive and above all illusory.
The Pyrhus Victory
Alas... time has shown that they weren't entirely wrong. The compromise reached by President Emmanuel Macron and his Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian has crumbled like the sandcastle on which it was founded. The proclamation of the elections in December seems to most experts like unattainable European diplomats. " We are far from it », remarks one of them. Even the French recognize it, in a low voice.
The defeat of 'Macron' diplomacy
The French takeover attempt on the Libyan reconciliation process has failed. Everyone is now banking on the conference organized in Palermo by the Italians in November to put Libya back on the right path of reconciliation. The Europeans have therefore all supported the Palermo process today, with Federica Mogherini at their head. Very few talked about the Paris conference. France suffered a defeat which, to be discreet, is bitter.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
Rome and Paris promise to 'work together'
French Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was not present in Luxembourg, at the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union, even if he had announced his arrival. Other occupations must no doubt keep him in Paris. But Sunday in Rome, taking advantage of the trip for the canonization of Pope Paul VI, where he represented the government of Edward Philippe, he met his counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi, just to seal a minimum of reconciliation. The two ministers insisted on underline the constant and fruitful interaction between France and Italy during the preparation of the [Palermo] conference and the commitment to work together in order to promote its constructive outcome in the service of the stabilization process in Libya ", according to communicated broadcast by Farnesina.
