Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, had a telephone conversation with the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg.
The conversation focused on some of the issues to be discussed at the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled in Bucharest on 29 and 30 November. Minister Tajani reaffirmed that Italy, a Founding Country of the Atlantic Alliance – an essential defence instrument of Western values – continues to promote the organization’s action, emphasizing that the transatlantic and European dimension of Italy’s foreign policy are fundamental for our security. In particular, Minister Tajani recalled that Italy is traditionally at the top of the member countries, together with the United States, in terms of contributions to allied operations and missions, as it also holds the Command of NATO’s two principal “out of area” missions in Iraq and in Kosovo.
Minister Tajani added that “Italy forcefully supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and full independence and resilience of Ukraine. We will continue to give our political, military, financial and humanitarian support to Kiev.”
With respect to the Western Balkans, Minister Tajani informed Secretary General Stoltenberg of the results of his recent joint mission to Belgrade and Pristina with Italian Defence Minister Crosetto, during which the two ministers conveyed a clear message to their interlocutors on the need to work together to deescalate tension and foster relations based on open dialogue and mutual respect.
Lastly, Minister Tajani expressed the hope that, within the scope of the Alliance’s adaptation process, the Strategic Partnership between NATO and the European Union may be further reinforced to more effectively face up to the challenges to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area coming from all strategic directions, including from its southern flank.
