Minister Crosetto in Brussels to attend the Informal Meeting of EU Defence Ministers

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"Finally, I saw Europe moving faster than usual: today, in fact, we have discussed starting a European operation, following the Red Sea crisis. Italy has confirmed its willingness to join operation Aspides, providing a ship for the duration of the mission. More specifically, various vessels will be used on a rotational basis, after the new mission's parliamentary assessment", Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said in his speech at the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers dedicated to the main themes connected with the international situation. The latter included the Middle East crisis, war in Ukraine and tension in the Sahel. The meeting took place today in Brussels, in the presence of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

 

With regard to the new mission, the minister stated: "We must equip ourselves with instruments that allow us to tackle lethal crises -such as wars- swiftly: if democracy doesn't match with speed and pragmatism, we risk being defeated by non-democratic actors, in both the medium and long term".

 

As for Houtis attacks, he said: "These are acts of war, not only physical, but hybrid war. Their strategy includes cutting communication channels between some countries, affecting their economies while benefiting others, for example Russia's and China 's, since no attacks are waged on their ships. Therefore, considering the danger of this threat, I hope the UN will also intervene". The minister added that he hopes also non-European countries which share the importance of freedom of movement, and with commercial sea lanes also jeopardized by the Houtis terrorist attacks, will join operation Aspides. He then said: "Spain has expressed its availability to host the mission's headquarters, while Italy, Greece and France offered to take the lead. This is not a match, it is important to field a joint operation, with the engagement of as many European countries as possible".

 

Regarding Africa and tension in the Sahel, Minister Crosetto stated: "Europe's destiny is closely connected with the destiny of the African continent. Italy is promoting its Mattei Plan, which overturns the western approach of the last decades. We need Africans to tell us how we can help them grow". The Defence Ministers' meeting focused also on EU's support for Ukraine. "The war is almost in its third year. Today, Europe has reiterated the need to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian State, following Russia's invasion attempt. Aid will not only be provided at the bilateral level, as we did so far: now it is also possible to weight on the EU budget".

 

In the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Crosetto also met with UN Under-Secretary for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean Pierre Lacroix, focusing on the UNIFIL mission deployed along the Blu Line, which marks the border between southern Lebanon and northern Israel. "At times of hardships like the ones we are going through it is necessary for the UN to assume a major role", Crosetto said.

The minister also held talks with his Lithuanian counterpart Arvidas Anusauskas, sharing his concern about stability in the Balkans, and Italy's interest about its presence in the area. Moreover, the two ministers shared their common will to deepen cooperation in the defence sector.

 

The bilateral meeting with Estonia Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur focused on possible lines of cooperation and support to be provided by the Italian Defence in terms of training and sharing expertise and know-how, and how to deepen cooperation between the two countries.