Defence Ministry: meeting between italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and his french counterpart Sebastien Lecornu

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Yesterday afternoon Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu held a video conference to discuss crucial issues.   The two ministers addressed the sensitive situation in the Red Sea, emphasizing a substantial convergence of views and expressing their will to swiftly launch a European mission that could involve also non-EU countries sharing the importance of freedom of navigation, whose commercial waterways are endangered by the Houtis’ terrorist attacks.   During talks they also discussed the dire situation in the Gaza Strip, where currently only Rome and Paris are engaged in providing medical assistance with their onboard hospitals and military personnel. The initiative was not followed by other countries, causing great concern especially considering the need for the hospital ships of the two countries to go back shortly due to logistical and operational requirements.   Italy is planning to deploy a military field hospital, and talks are underway with Egypt on this matter also due to the challenging security situation in the Gaza Strip. Rome and Paris could work together also on this theme, and they hope that other countries will join the initiative, as Qatar did in the case of Italy’s Vulcano Navy Ship.   Finally, Italy will welcome approximately one hundred Palestinian children suffering from serious complications. Accompanied by their families, they will receive medical assistance at various hospitals nationwide.  Considering the sensitive geopolitical situation and the substantial agreement of views, the two ministers have decided to meet again soon.