ROME -French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian President Sergio Mattarella signed the Quirinal Treaty Thursday, which aims to build a ‘stronger and more structured link’ between Italy and France, with the ultimate goal of ‘a stronger Europe,’ government sources said.

 "The enhanced cooperation treaty signed this morning marks a historic moment in relations between Italy and France,” said Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi in a press conference after the signing. "From today we are even closer.”

 Draghi noted the interconnectedness of the two nations, "not just our borders" but "our history, our art, our economies and society." The prime minister also described a common ideological goal. "The institutions we represent are based on the same republican values, on respect for human and civil rights, on Europeanism.”

 Mattarella said the agreement paves the way for a new "strengthened bilateral cooperation" and "a common future.”  The ceremony was held at the Quirinale Palace and foreign ministers Luigi di Maio and Jean-Yves Le Drian were also present.

  Immediately after the signing of the treaty, the leaders listened to their respective national anthems, while the Frecce Tricolori flew in double formation across the Roman sky - one with the colours of the Italian flag and the other with those of the French flag.

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