The Quirinal Treaty. Implementation and future prospects

On the second anniversary of the Quirinal Treaty, signed in Rome on November 26, 2021, and which entered into force this year, Martin Briens, the French Ambassador to Italy, and Paola Severino, President of the Luiss School of Law, hosted an event on Thursday, November 23, at the Luiss Campus in Viale Romania. The event brought together Luiss students and EsaBac students for a discussion on the key themes of this historic bilateral agreement . The aim was to envision its future together with the young people who will continue to shape the relationship between France and Italy within the European context, fostering increasingly strong and dynamic cooperation.

Following greetings from Luiss professors Raffaele Marchetti, Vice-Rector for Internationalization; Sergio Fabbrini, Head of the Department of Political Science; Giovanni Orsina, Dean of the Luiss School of Government; and Marco Minniti, Professor of International Relations, as well as a video message from Marc Lazar, President of the Scientific Committee of the Franco-Italian Dialogues for Europe, The students engaged in discussions with Ambassador Martin Briens, Piero Fassino (President of the Italy–France Interparliamentary Group and the Coordination Committee for Relations between the Italian Chamber of Deputies and the French National Assembly), Paola Severino (President of the Luiss School of Law), and Nicola Verola (Director General for Europe and International Trade Policy at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation).          

Martin Briens emphasized the importance of “giving a voice to the young people who represent the future of the Quirinal Treaty, whose second anniversary we are celebrating, to ensure that, in a world facing major crises, they have the opportunity to build, as President Macron put it, this ‘Franco-Italian house’ and create this ‘Franco-Italian reflection’ between the two peoples.” “That’s what you’re doing today,” he said, commending the students and thanking Paola Severino “for embracing this innovative seminar format from the very beginning.”

“Seminars like today’s, focused on engaging with young people, help strengthen cooperation between our two countries by addressing key issues for Europe’s future, such as security, the economy, research and innovation, inclusive development, and culture, with a focus on the crucial contribution of young people,” said Paola Severino . “The Treaty further unites the Italian and French Republics in promoting shared values of peace, freedom, respect for human rights, and economic and social development.” We are proud that the Franco-Italian Dialogues for Europe initiative, launched in 2018 by Luiss University and Sciences Po, is mentioned in the Quirinal Treaty as an example of commitment to shared goals.”

The students, taking turns at the table with the speakers, expressed their views on a variety of topics. The first panel focused on student mobility, university exchanges, and dual degrees, as well as their connection to cultural mobility. In the second panel, students discussed culture as a symbol of the agreement between France and Italy. The young people also addressed the defense sector and the need to promote a shared culture, emphasizing the importance of civil society’s involvement in implementing the Treaty. In the field of foreign affairs, there was discussion about how, in the current context, the agreement between France and Italy could help resolve crises and push the EU to strengthen common positions on foreign policy as well as economic and business cooperation.

In addition to the Luiss students, about 25 students from the Convitto Nazionale V. Emanuele, who are enrolled in the EsaBac program for the Italian state exam/French baccalauréat dual diploma, were present, accompanied by their teachers.

Radio Luiss will also produce a series of podcasts to spread the value of a Treaty that continues to nurture relations between France and Italy, demonstrating great vitality within this new framework, among student communities.