Minister Crosetto in Prague for the Globsec Forum

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Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, during his intervention at Prague 2024 Globsec Forum, underscored the importance of the appointment of a EU Defence Commissioner, saying that it was “the best” decision, because Europe has never actually dealt with defence matters, so currently we have to make up for the time lost, Crosetto announced that for the first time a G7 meeting dedicated to Defence will take place under the Italian Presidency of the G7, underscoring how the war in Ukraine has awakened our awareness on the need to invest in, and take swift decisions on defence. According to the minister, Europe was too late in understanding that it must rely on its own Armed Forces to ensure democracy and freedom, hence now it must speed up to build NATO’s European pillar.

Moreover, Minister Crosetto highlighted the need to act swiftly to cope with the urgent challenge waged by autocratic countries and the hybrid war conducted by some nations. He warned that the West must be alert on the challenge of anti-Western propaganda promoted by a number of nations, within the framework of a hybrid war where fake news play a relevant role, especially in Africa and the BRICS countries, avoiding underestimating the penetration into our countries achieved by such nations, also through sophisticated strategies aimed to gain relevant positions and influence public opinions and institutions.

To conclude, the minister expressed his concern for the attempt to create a non-existing contrast between NATO and the BRICS, and reiterated that no European country can tackle present global challenges by itself.
During the 2024 Globsec the minister held productive meetings with Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Anusic and Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova, with discussions focusing on the situation in the Balkans, supporting Ukraine and security on NATO’s Southern Flank.