Giorgia Meloni: We reaffirm our role in NATO, we are leaders in terms of quality and quantity!

Subscribe here: https://bit.ly/eudebates Italy reaffirms its fundamental role in NATO. The President of the Council said so Giorgia Meloni in the statements to the press released at the end of the meeting with the Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte at Palazzo Chigi. “We are leaders in NATO in terms of the quality and quantity of our action. We are the first contributor to the missions of the Atlantic Alliance and also to the NATO budget,” added the Prime Minister. “Our presence is articulated along the eastern flank,” as well as in the Mediterranean and with “the historic commitment in a region like the Balkans that remains crucial,” said Meloni according to whom “Italy will do its part in NATO to continue to defend those values ​​that hold the Alliance together, these values ​​have guaranteed peace and security to our peoples.” “NATO continues to work to build the right conditions for peace in Ukraine. Italy has always done its part and we have reached the ninth package of military aid, focusing in particular on air defense” up to “reconstruction: in 2025 we will host the Ukraine recovery conference”, an event on which “the entire Italian system is already working”. We are working “on the mobilization of frozen Russian assets”, added Meloni, recalling how this is “a great success of the Italian presidency of the G7”. “Italy – continued the Prime Minister – supports the need for a European pillar to be added to the North American pillar of NATO. It is a vision that we share with the new Secretary General and we share the need to work on a European defense industry”. According to Meloni, "Italy has always worked to strengthen attention to the Southern Flank dimension and this has led to "a renewed commitment" and for Italy it is "important that this initiative package be carried forward". Italy "supports the need for a European pillar to be added to the North American pillar of NATO. It is a vision that we share with the new secretary general and we share the need to work on a European defense industry", added Meloni who at the opening of the conference called Rutte "friend". The new Secretary General of NATO recalled that "Italy is one of the founders of NATO and a historic and strong member of the Alliance, which contributes to Atlantic security. Your jets defend NATO airspace", recalled Rutte, highlighting the role played by Italy in Bulgaria and in the Balkans through the KFOR mission. "I want to work with Admiral Dragon Cable”, Rutte continued, referring to the presidency of the NATO Military Committee that the Italian admiral will assume in 2025. “NATO welcomes Italy’s investment of 8,2 billion to develop new tanks and renew the equipment of the Armed Forces. All countries must reach the goal of 2 percent of GDP for defense,” Rutte stressed, also mentioning the meeting with representatives of the military industry that he will have today in Rome and then also in Brussels. “The Alliance is creating a new command for Ukraine, called Nsatu (Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine), which will become operational in the coming months. We are on track to provide our 40 billion in military support to Ukraine in 2024,” Rutte explained, according to whom “Kiev’s fight is the fight of all of us.” “NATO must be able to face threats from all directions and for this reason, on Italy's initiative, we have adopted a plan for a new approach to the southern neighborhood. I look forward to continuing to work together in the coming times,” concluded Rutte, addressing Meloni. "Strengthening our defense is the Alliance's priority. This is why we are producing more ships, vehicles and projectiles also to support Ukraine," Rutte said, thanking Rome for its contribution to NATO's budget. “All countries must reach the objective of 2% of gross domestic product for defense," the NATO secretary general said, also mentioning that he will meet representatives of the military industry in Rome and then in Brussels. Rutte confirmed that the alliance is creating a new command for Ukraine, called Nsatu (Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine), which will become operational in the coming months. “We are on track to provide our 40 billion in terms of military support to Ukraine in 2024,” the NATO chief said. Stay connected with us! Facebook:   / eudebates.tv   Twitter:   / eudebates   Instagram:   / eudebates.tv   #eudebates the unique initiative aiming to promote debate, dialogue, knowledge, participation and communication among citizens. #Italy #Meloni #GiorgiaMeloni #ItalianArmy #Giorgia_Meloni #NATO #WeareNATO #defence #EuropeanUnion #Rutte #intelligence #vonderLeyen