Minister Crosetto concludes his mission in Northern Europe.

E5 ministerial meeting in Paris, visits to Norway and Finland: “Greater industrial cooperation, defence of the Arctic, and countering hybrid threats for stronger European security.”

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The three-day programme of international engagements by Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto concluded today. From 26 to 28 October, he attended the E5 Defence Ministers’ meeting in Paris before proceeding to Norway and Finland for two official visits. The discussions focused on strengthening NATO’s European pillar, protecting critical infrastructure in the Arctic and the High North, integrating the European defence industry, and responding to hybrid and cognitive threats.

In Paris, during the E5 Defence Ministers’ meeting, discussions focused on Europe and the Atlantic Alliance’s continued support for Ukraine, stability in the Middle East, the protection of maritime routes, and countering emerging hybrid threats.

“No European country, not even the largest or strongest, can face alone the security challenges confronting us in these difficult times,” Minister Crosetto stated. “Together, however, we have the military, industrial, technological, political and economic strength to guarantee the security of our nations and the freedom of our peoples. The E5 meeting confirmed our shared determination to accelerate the development of a stronger European pillar within NATO through enhanced cooperation, interoperability and the development of common capabilities.”

Crosetto highlighted the need to address attempts to influence public opinion, which increasingly accompany traditional threats: “From cyberattacks to disinformation, and attempts to influence public opinion through increasingly sophisticated profiling and analysis tools, these threats know no borders and require coordinated, concrete and timely responses. The E5 must be more than a forum for political dialogue; it must be an instrument capable of delivering concrete and lasting results to safeguard Europe’s security, freedom and interests.”

During his visit to Oslo, Minister Crosetto met with his Norwegian counterpart, Tore O. Sandvik. The talks laid the foundations for closer cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence, highlighting the growing strategic importance of the Arctic and the High North for Euro-Atlantic security, freedom of navigation and the protection of critical infrastructure.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of Italy’s participation in NATO’s Forward Land Forces (FLF), joint exercises and research initiatives. Particular attention was devoted to integrated air defence, the cyber and space domains, and the maritime domain, especially the underwater sector. The discussions also addressed closer integration between the armed forces, industry and research institutions to overcome fragmentation within the European defence sector.

In Helsinki, the meeting with Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen confirmed the two countries’ strong alignment on defending NATO’s eastern flank and on the strategic importance of the Baltic Sea and the Arctic.

Crosetto highlighted Italy’s leading role in the Alliance’s security missions: “Italy’s tangible commitment to the region ranges from the Armed Forces’ contribution to NATO exercises, such as Cold Response 2026, and Air Policing missions to protect allied airspace, to its presence on the eastern flank—where Italy is the leading contributor—and scientific research conducted by the Alliance vessel.”

The ministers agreed on the need to develop common requirements, enhance military mobility and establish appropriate financial instruments to support European defence. They also explored opportunities for industrial and technological cooperation in the space, maritime and underwater sectors, as well as strategies to counter cognitive warfare and disinformation.