Poland was the first leg of Defence Minister Guido Crosetto’s visit to the Italian military engaged in out-of-area missions on the occasion of the Festivities.

The Minister met with the Italian personnel onboard Navy Ship Marceglia, deployed in the Baltic Sea within Operation Brilliant Shield. He conveyed festivities’ greetings to the personnel as a token of the closeness and esteem of the Government and Italian people for their commitment.

“Being a family means you know someone is there for you in times of hardship, you know you will never be alone, and this is what I wish for us, what the Defence must mean to those who serve. All together we are a positive entity, we are family, and a family is ready to forgive, giving support when support is needed, spurring you to act when you are falling asleep. This is what we must be. This is what I would like the Defence to be, and this is the main reason for my presence here today”, Minister C rosette told Italian personnel on his visit to Navy Ship Marceglia.

During his trip to Poland Guido Crosetto also had the opportunity to meet with Polish Deputy Miinister of Defence Pawel Zalewski. At the end of the meeting he said: “Excellent meeting in Poland with Deputy Defence Minister Zalewski, who expressed appreciation for the Italian Defence commitment in his country, and great interest in going forward with common initiatives within the military and industrial sectors and International Organizations”. “We are proud of what you do and how you represent Italy. By defending the NATO air space in Poland, so close to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, you defend our principles and democracy”, Minister Crosetto said to the Italian Air Force personnel engaged in Task Force Air-32nd Wing, in Poland.