Italy and France: the Effects of Competition Between Allies on the Regional Stability in Northern Africa and on the European Union (An Italian Perspective)
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Elisabetta Recher FOKUS | 8/2019 Italy and France: The effects of competition between allies on the regional stability in Northern Africa and on the European Union (an Italian perspective) Introduction is how Italy and France‘s competition over Paris publicly seemed to let Rome lead the influence in North Africa risks impac- the way on the Libyan issue even though Between the end of 2018 and the begin- ting and deteriorating the image and French and Italian companies, respectively ning of 2019, tensions between Italy and coherence of the EU as a whole, its unity Total and ENI, were rivals in the country. France were covered in the news on an and its international position. That did not last long, and in the years increasingly regular basis. Tensions grew following military intervention in Libya, over multiple issues such as the two coun- France and Italy‘s historic presence and France attempted to politically bypass Italy tries‘ budget proposal to the European competition in North Africa on multiple occasions.7 Commission, their respective measures and strategies adopted in response to the France and Italy‘s competition for influ- Italy and France‘s competition: Libyan crisis, and their respective national ence in North Africa dates back to the The case of Libya and social issues including migration in Ita- 19th century when Italy emerged as a ly and the “Gilets Jaunes” protests in Paris. colonial power after its reunification in Given the major role Libya has been In addition, while Italy held meetings with 1871. From 1900 to 1902, Rome signed playing in the migration crisis as a gateway representatives of Hungary and Poland a series of treaties with Paris by which it for the African migration to Europe, it is with the aim of establishing an alliance in recognised French control over Morocco in in the interest of both Italy and France to sight of the European Parliament elections exchange for Paris´ pledge not to attempt bring stability to the country. Both do not in May, France renewed its post-war friend- seizing Libyan territories.3 Italy maintained wish for Libya to become a terrorists and ship and alliance with Germany by signing control over Libya´s territories from 1911 smugglers haven. However, rather than the Aachen Treaty1. Tensions between Italy until World War II when the “Italian Libya” cooperating to try to solve the political and France eventually escalated in Febru- was divided into three zones under joint crisis, Italy and France have blamed each ary 2019 when President Macron recalled Franco-British occupation, which lasted other for it and have been competing for the French Ambassador from Rome – who until 1951, when Libya became indepen- influence. Due to their conflicting interests was sent back soon after – following criti- dent during the wave of decolonization in in the region, they have exacerbated the cism by members of the Italian leadership Africa in the 1950s and 1960s. After years tensions and increased instability not only of the French President himself, of France‘s of tensions between Italy and Libya due in Libya but in the region overall. Histori- colonial practices in Africa (i.e. CFA), and to Italy´s previous colonial occupation, cally, Italy has been a relatively greater following the meeting between Deputy bilateral relations improved in 2008, when trading partner for Libya, occupying a Prime Minister Di Maio and representatives the two countries signed the historic better business position compared to of the “Gilets Jaunes” movement.2 Treaty on Friendship, Partnership, and France.8 This started to slowly change after Cooperation which ended the disputes the military intervention in 2011. Since One could continuously list issues that related to colonialism.4 The Treaty ensured then, Paris has attempted to strengthen its have created tension between Italy and cooperation between the two countries in political relations with the newly establis- France over the past few months; however, many fields including migration and the hed Libyan principal leader and to increase this confrontation on the aforementioned economic sector. In the former case, Italy economic gains through trade accords issues, is nothing more than the projection and Libya committed to collaboration in (mostly in terms of oil and weapons). and result of deeper tension and compe- order to prevent illegal migration in the tition between the two countries, in parti- countries of origin; in the latter case, Italy From a political perspective, both coun- cular concerning their spheres of influence accepted responsibility for its colonial oc- tries have tried to assert themselves as in Northern Africa. In this case, tensions cupation and agreed to compensate Libya leading diplomatic actors and mediators between Italy and France stemmed from by committing to build basic infrastructure in the talks with the principal competing their respective bilateral relationship with in the country for a total of $5 billion over leaders in Libya. In May 2018, France Libya and Egypt, where the two countries the next 20 years.5 In return, Italy got a organised the Paris Summit bringing clashed and competed both politically and favoured commercial partner status with together Libya´s four principal competing economically. France´s interference in Li- the oil-rich country and Libya committed leaders but excluding Italy, and pushed bya not too long after Italy took the lead to itself to an extension of the concession to for the organisation of new elections in work closely with various Libyan security the energy company ENI which in 2007, al- December 2018, which were finally post- actors revealed the lack of coordination ready managed to extend its contract until poned and rescheduled at a later date.9 among the two EU players. The question 2042 for oil and 2047 for gas.6 At that time, Italy, on the other hand, criticised France‘s 1 Italy and France FOKUS | 8/2019 proposed elections claiming that Libyans In addition, since the beginning of the keener to maintain good relations with should decide for themselves when to Libyan crisis in 2011, France has also Cairo in order to keep the country com- hold elections and thereof organised the supported General Haftar militarily. Even mitted to those goals. However, as it is the Palermo Conference in November 2018 to though French energy companies have case in Libya, Italy and France compete for meet with the main leaders in Libya and been increasingly profiting in Libya in the influence and economic interests in Egypt, other major powers for a plan to deal with last few years, it is through military equip- and this, again, hampers any possibility the political crisis in the country.10 On that ment sales that Paris generates most of for both countries to cooperate to find a occasion, France‘s president was invited to its profits in the country. Between 200415 common and unified solution. the event, but only a representative was and 2011, France sold to Tripoli around sent to attend. half a billion dollars’ worth of weapons, The bilateral relations between Rome and more than any other European country.16 Cairo experienced a temporary setback The competition between Italy and France Italy‘s purchases of arms were higher than in 2016 following the Regeni case.17 Back over Libya is also reflected in regard to the France‘s only prior to the intervention in then, Italy persisted in its request for two competing factions in the country. On 2010 when it negotiated around a billion transparency while trying at the same time one hand, Italy supports the internatio- dollar worth deals. In the case of France, not to compromise its outstanding busi- nally recognised Government of National given the country´s well-known military ness interests, especially after the Italian Accord in Tripoli and its representative and logistical support not only to General oil company ENI discovered the Zohr oil Fayez al-Serraj under the terms of the Haftar but also to his major Arab spon- reserves in 2015.18 United Nations-led initiative (the Libyan sors, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, Political Agreement); while on the other questions have arisen on whether or not Contrarily to Italy, France has improved its hand, France backs the Eastern govern- France can be seen as an honest broker. relations with Egypt in the last few years. ment led by Khalifa Haftar, head of the What is certain is that France and Italy‘s Some have even claimed that since ENI‘s Libyan National Army (LNA) and arguably rivalry in Libya is hurting the country itself discovery of Zohr oil reserves, France the most influential local actor in Libya. by undermining attempts to solve the has increasingly attempted to replace Haftar’s military-style rule controls most underlying political crisis. Italian oil companies with French ones. In of the country and has almost entirely addition, Paris has also increased trade and stopped human trafficking networks in Italy and France‘s competition: collaborations with Cairo in the military the eastern side of Libya.11 Because France The case of Egypt sector, which is a strategic move given that believes that Haftar is an ally who could both countries support general Haftar in serve in their best interests, particularly Besides the European powers Italy and Libya, politically and militarily. Since 2013, with fighting terrorist groups, it supports France, Egypt is another key actor involved Egypt has been France‘s largest client for the General´s consolidation of control in in the Libyan conflict with the aim of weapons (25% of total sales).19 Because of the east. Recently, Haftar‘s strength and stabilising the country in order to pre- its arms exports not only to Egypt but also ambitions have been confirmed once vent the expansion of Islamist networks‘ to other authoritarian states like Saudi Ara- more after the LNA carried out air strikes influence and illegal migration.