Ministero della Difesa Test

"The convergence of views shared by Italy and Germany creates the conditions to act as protagonists in the ongoing reinforcement of collective defence. We must move forward swiftly both within our reference organizations and in developing even further our bilateral cooperation".

Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini met with his German counterpart Christine Lambrecht today in Berlin. "In other words- Guerini said- we must continue to be strong together, as Italy and Germany have been doing for a long time within the framework of the EU, sharing the common strategic vision of a European Defence that works in complementarity with, rather than as alternative to, NATO. This is also true for our ability to develop cooperation programs".

The focus of today's talks was on new, more cohesive - and therefore firmer - strategic guidelines, and possible growth sectors for our bilateral relationship. This was the second meeting for the two ministers after the one held in February, on the occasion of the Munich Security Conference.

Today's talks opened with an update on Russia- Ukraine conflict, and an overview of the respective actions adopted to support the resistance of the country under attack by political, diplomatic and material measures. "This remains indispensable to ensure fair negotiations". "Our commitment – Guerini continued- must aim to consolidate the initiatives that so far have proven able to contain an escalation".

Subsequently, the ministers discussed their expectations with regard to the next Madrid NATO Summit and Strategic Concept. "The Strategic Concept is the result of hard work, to which Italy also provided its effective contribution. It fully responds to the new requirements of the Alliance in a security context that the paper describes in detail", Minister Guerini said.   

"Madrid will decide the future of the Alliance: we must tackle this appointment by guaranteeing its success. Those who look at us will have the proof of the steadiness, unity and cohesion that are the first strongpoints of the Alliance. In fact, we will have to face a number of challenges, among them trying to ensure NATO's vigilance capability at 360°, to protect all our strategic areas. Italy has always underscored this requirement. We must for certain safeguard the Eastern flank, while monitoring and being present the Southern flank, where the effects of events in Ukraine are reverberating".

The same unity of intent was underscore with regard to building a European Defence and the Strategic Compass. The ministers deepened the importance of strengthening Europe's autonomy in the industrial strategic sectors, a necessary objective for Europe and an opportunity for NATO. In fact, the latter would benefit from a stronger European pillar. "This is a process we must build together. Italy firmly believes in it, and the Italian industry can provide a critical contribution, since its know-how could strengthen our common technological and productive base. Italy firmly defends the need to spend better and optimize procurement. This can only be ensured by an actual cooperative model to be implemented by Member States".

The theme of joint procurement was also discussed in the bilateral meeting with German Secretary of State for Defence Benedikt Zimmer, where the need for cooperation among Member States was reiterated as the best solution to look at the future of European Defence. Italy had expressed its position on this issue in a Food for Thought Paper, underscoring the need to reinforce Europe's technological and industrial base by incentivizing cooperation programs and avoiding duplications and fragmentations, as well as overcoming competitiveness.

At the end of the institutional meeting, Italian Ambassador to Germany Armando Varricchio introduced the "Stronger Together - Toward a Common European Defence" conference, dedicated to the theme of strengthening European autonomy in the energy, technology and defence sectors.