French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni outside the Élysée Palace in Paris on May 21, 2017 (Photo: Thomas Sampson/AFP)

At a press conference following the talk, Macron said France wants to cooperate closely with Italy and other EU members to ensure the EU’s development, adding that the EU needs to be strong and close to the citizens’ wishes. Prime Minister Gentiloni said President Macron’s victory has increased hope and trust within the EU. He said one of the high-priority missions now is to establish a tax and banking union in the EU.  

The two men also discussed immigration issues and preparations for the G7 summit scheduled to begin this Friday in Italy.