Minister Crosetto in Paris for the Ministers’ of Defence Conference

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Defence Minister Guido Crosetto yesterday took part in the Conference of NATO EU Ministers of Defence held in Paris to discuss the new challenges of the European Defence.

The meeting was attended also by President of the Republic of France Emmanuel Macron, who reiterated the importance of the European Defence and spoke about the cooperation between Italy and France on the SAMP-T battery. On that occasion, Minister Crosetto underscored the importance of the meeting as a “time for reflecting on Europe’s Defence and Security, taking stock and sharing national guidelines in order to tackle jointly present and future challenges”.

The conference was an opportunity to deepen the strategic contest, operational requirements and industrial solutions on matters of European air defence. Strategies and projects intended to strengthen common guidelines and decisions in the military sector were the main themes on the table.

This morning Minister Crosetto had a meeting with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu to talk about “security in the Enlarged Mediterranean and Sahel, European Defence and cooperation between the Armed Forces, as well as indudtrial cooperation in the Defence sector”.

Yesterday morning Guido Crosetto, with a number of other Defence Ministers, had attended the inauguration of the International Paris Air Show Le Bourget.

“I am in Paris to enhance the national arospace industry, Italy’s calling card recognized the world over, in a sector bound to be an increasingly important pillar of future geopolitics”, Minister Crosetto said at the end of his visit.

On the sidelines of the International Air Show inauguration ceremony, the Minister of Defence met the Minister of Transport of Qatar, Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti. During talks, the Minister Said: “Our countries enjoy a solid relationship that we want to strengthen by implementing our cooperation in the sector of defence and security”.

Aerobatic team pilot Paolo Pocobelli also attended the Air Show. A paraplegic since 1994, he is currently Chief Instructor at the Verona Aero Club Flight School.

The Minister of Defence expressed his admiration, taking him as an example of courage and perseverance. “As a former Army officer, Paolo personifies the fundamental values that distinguish our Armed Forces and our Defence paralympic athletes. He is a model for all of us”.