Minister Crosetto at the International Air and Space Show

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Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, in Paris for the 55th edition of the International Air and Space Show at Le Bourget, had an important and fruitful meeting with his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss major international issues and some areas of mutual interest, including bilateral defense cooperation.

“We analyzed crisis areas, with specific focuses on the Middle East, the Balkans, the Red Sea, and Ukraine, exchanging valuable information and viewpoints. There is a strong shared will between Italy and France to make every effort to avoid an escalation of the ongoing dramatic conflicts. We reaffirmed the need for a common strategy in the context of Defense, NATO, and the European Union, as well as in the defense industry sector,” said Minister Crosetto, explaining that “Western cohesion, both within the EU and NATO, is a fundamental value that must be preserved. Our countries remain among the leaders in the aerospace sector, exemplifying excellence and European collaboration. In an increasingly competitive global context, all possible synergies are needed to ensure strategic autonomy, security, and progress for Europe in vital sectors like space and aeronautics. In this context, our industry is a cornerstone for economic development and defense and must be supported with determination.”

Yesterday in Paris, Minister Crosetto also met with his Brazilian counterpart, José Mucio Monteiro Filho.

"Italy and Brazil share historic ties of friendship and solid cooperation in the Defense sector. It was an intense dialogue with my counterpart, confirming our mutual desire to strengthen the existing synergies, particularly in the aerospace and defense industry sectors. We expressed our willingness to develop further areas of strategic collaboration, from air and cyber defense to the underwater and subaquatic domains—areas that are becoming increasingly essential for security and the protection of natural resources in the ocean floors,” said Minister Crosetto, who then added: “We also shared the desire to strengthen cooperation in the aerospace sector to increase the number of satellites and bridge the gap accumulated in the past. This exchange opens up significant prospects for both countries in a rapidly evolving international context."

Also yesterday, the Minister met with the Director-General of the European Space Agency, Josef Aschbacher:

“It was a valuable opportunity to highlight the excellence of our national industry in the aerospace sector, recognized globally as one of Italy’s major calling cards. In an area destined to become increasingly central to future geopolitics, the strategic goal is to increase the number of space launches while reducing operational times, in order to consolidate the competitive advantage our country already holds in the space domain."