Italian Government
Minister Crosetto in Madrid for the 5+5 Defence Initiative
Immagini messe a disposizione con licenza
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 DEED
“We are living in a fragile, uncertain international context, where security is moreover continuously declining with reverberations at the military, economic, social and technological level. Increasing competition the world over has clear, concerning repercussions in the Mediterranean: a sea that has always been crucial and vital, the cradle of Western and Eastern civilization as well as the connection between two continents which, by developing collaboration and synergies, can and must remain of central importance in global dynamics. We must become increasingly able to manage the latter. That is why we must, all the more, assume the responsibility to commit and work with increasing levels of coordination and interconnection and long-term synergies. The Italian Defence has provided and will continue to provide its contribution to the 5+5 Initiative, aware of the importance of creating a future of common stability and prosperity”.
Thus Defence Minister Guido Crosetto in Madrid, on the occasion of the ministerial meeting of the 5+5 Defence Initiative, a collaboration platform between Western Mediterranean countries which sees the participation of Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain.
In the margins of the meeting Minister Crosetto met with his Tunisian counterpart, Khaled Shili.
“The meeting with my Tunisian colleague Khaled Shili was cordial and productive. Italy and Tunisia are united by strong ties of friendship, as well as our ancient civilizations’ shared history and culture. Let me express my great satisfaction with the high level of collaboration between our Armed Forces. There is a clear common will by Italy and Tunisia to explore new sectors of cooperation to the advantage of common security and as a contribution to stability in the Mediterranean region, with initiatives in the field of training and industrial cooperation. Tunisia is an important actor for international stability, a strategic country for Europe and Italy”.
