France and Italy have committed to strengthening cooperation to support the competitiveness of Europe’s fashion and luxury industries, according to a joint statement issued following the 36th Franco-Italian Summit in Cannes in June. By ILM

In the statement, published by the French Presidency (Élysée), the two governments described the fashion and luxury value chains as “strategic assets for Europe’s cultural identity, industrial excellence and global projection” and pledged to pursue a joint European approach to safeguard and strengthen the sector.

The Élysée said the commitment builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), aimed at deepening cooperation between the French and Italian fashion industries.

According to the joint statement, France and Italy will also work together to address the challenges posed by ultra-fast fashion and low-value parcel imports, while promoting sustainability, protecting intellectual property and supporting skills development across the European fashion ecosystem.

The agreement forms part of a broader package of industrial cooperation announced at the summit, covering sectors including automotive, semiconductors, critical raw materials and net-zero technologies.