Ministero della Difesa

The Mediterranean area must be the focus of political debate and decisions made by European states, while the European Defence must be supported by concrete initiatives.  

This has been Minister Pinotti's take on the two main themes - Libya/Operation Sophia and "Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)"- of the informal meeting that has taken place in La Valletta during the Maltese EU presidency semester. 

The meeting was also attended by the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the Maltese Defence Minister, Carmelo Abela.

As regards CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) the Minister underscored that "instability in the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Sahara and the Horn of Africa have a strong impact on stability and security in the Euro-Mediterranean area".

It is therefore of fundamental importance that the Mediterranean be the focus of the political debate and of decisions made by the European states, since only the continued presence of a European naval operation can mitigate and, eventually, remove the effects of such instability.

Hence the review of Operation Sophia, which has evolved into a maritime security mission. Working in synergy with the other ongoing regional maritime operations - NATO operation "Sea Guardian" and our national operation Mare Sicuro - is indispensable. All activities should be included into a broader Regional Comprehensive Approach framework. Greater impulse should be given to the training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy

"Italy has strong commitments in Libya, it supports Libyan normalization efforts by ensuring medical, educational and training support", the Minister said during the meeting. As a sign of trust in the progress achieved so far, Italy  reopened its embassy in Tripoli on 10 January.

The second session of the meeting was dedicated to initiatives based on the "EU Global Strategy" and its "Implementation Plan", for a more effective cooperation and stronger integration within the European Defence.

Talks focused in the first place on PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation), a critical step toward strengthening European Defence, and an essential tool toward adopting a model able to join the political will to do more showed by some states – as provided for in the Treaties-  and the need for a greater involvement of the European institutions in facilitating this evolutionary process.

 "The requirement to move forward with the European Defence is deeply felt", the Minister said, expressing her satisfaction for the establishment of the European Defence Fund.

EU Battlegroups and the need to carry out an effective assessment of their modes of employment, fostering flexibility, were also discussed at La Valletta.  Appropriate criteria must be identified to allow for a modular employment of the above-named assets, but common funding criteria should also be broadened to ensure a more equitable sharing of costs incurred by Member States. 

In the side lines of the meeting the Minister met UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Talks focused on UN peacekeeping activities. With regard to the latter, Lacroix thanked Italy and expressed his admiration for the contribution given by its Armed Forces.