Minister Crosetto on institutional visit to Turkey

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Defence Minister Guido Crosetto today visited Turkey, where he met with his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler. The meeting focused on the delicate geopolitical situation and the impact of the Middle East crisis, with the consequent destabilization in the Red Sea, on security in the Mediterranean and the Southern Flank of the Atlantic Alliance. 

“The current situation in the Middle East could have heavy repercussions on regional stability, with the risk of an escalation in the Mediterranean. That instability adds up to the already serious repercussions of the Ukrainian war, following the Russian invasion. That is why the Italian Government is working to promote dialogue, and the Defence sees Turkey as a key country for the stabilization process in the entire area”, Minister Crosetto said during the meeting.

The two ministers also discussed the theme of the centrality of the Mediterranean, with a focus on Africa: “Stabilization in the Enlarged Mediterranean, which includes also North Africa and the Sahel – Minister Crosetto continued- is a security priority. Dynamics in that area affect the European continent, and the ongoing delicate situation is made worse by heavy demographic dynamics. That is why Italy is promoting a renewed Piano Mattei (Mattei Plan) for Africa, that allows countries in the region to use the available national resources at their best”.

The two ministers have also explored new sectors of cooperation to increase interoperability of their Armed Forces and develop industrial cooperation in the defence sector, also thanks to the relevant competence and production capabilities of their respective defence industries.