"Italy and Germany enjoy strong bilateral relations, which we need to enhance at this complex time. We share the will to cooperate in training activities between our Armed Forces", Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said during his official visit to Germany today, in his meeting with the Defence Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Boris Pistorius.

It was a long and friendly meeting, which followed the one that took place in Brussels on 15 February on the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers' Meeting.

The two ministers discussed various topics. Among others, collaboration in the defence industry sector, the enlarged Mediterranean, as well as "the important link between the European Union and Africa, where it is necessary to ensure not only security but also development and economic growth".

Minister Crosetto - accompanied on the official visit by the Italian Ambassador to Germany, Armando Varricchio - also paid homage to the Fallen, with the laying of a wreath at the Bundeswehr Memorial together with his colleague Pistorius.