Today the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, took part, by video conference, in the first session of the end-of-year NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting.
The discussion centred on a strategic “NATO 2030” reflection, launched by Secretary General Stoltenberg, questions of the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area, the Alliance’s Southern Front (especially the MENA and Sahel region), and the situation in Afghanistan.
In his contribution, Minister Di Maio reiterated Italy’s expectations that the NATO 2030 process will strengthen cohesion within the Alliance, in a security context characterised by old and new challenges. On the questions of security in the Euro-Atlantic area, the Foreign Minister stressed the dual approach of deterrence and defence on the one hand, and dialogue on the other, referring to the fundamental role of disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control. As regards the Southern scene, Italy calls for an even greater commitment of the Alliance, and supports NATO’s contribution in the MENA region, as well as the prospects of greater attention towards the Sahel, which includes fully exploiting the potential of the NATO Hub for the South in Naples.
Finally, in relation to Afghanistan, in reiterating Italy’s commitment to the NATO mission and support for the Intra-Afghan peace process, Minister Di Maio expressed the hope of close coordination between the Allies on the presence in that Country, in order to also preserve the fruits of the twenty-year international commitment in the Country.
