ROME. The “return of our soldiers from Afghanistan, in compliance with the decisions of the Atlantic Alliance, must take place in a framework of maximum security, according to the plans drawn up in agreement with the allies. Italy and the international community will continue to support the country, in terms of development cooperation, to consolidate the progress made ». This is what we read in the note released by the Quirinale at the end of the meeting of the Supreme Defense Council chaired by the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella.
The Supreme Council expressed its recognition for the all-out commitment of the armed forces in more than a year of the pandemic. The initiatives underway in NATO and in the European Union were then analyzed, which remain the pillars of our country’s security and defense policy, called upon to react promptly to the health emergency and to the effects it is having on the strategic scenario. Italy supports all measures aimed at increasing their effectiveness in order to successfully pursue international peace and security.
The Council then examined the threats and risks that characterize the numerous crisis areas and operational theaters. The pandemic is worsening the socio-economic situation of the most fragile regions, with humanitarian consequences and also implications for the safety of the populations. In this context, transnational terrorism could find new room for maneuver and remains a worrying threat, which must be countered with decisive action, of a multilateral nature and in the context of the initiatives of the international community. Libya remains in a critical situation and is a priority for our country, within the framework of a national strategy that sees its center of gravity in the Mediterranean basin. Italy strongly supports the new government of national unity and the reunification and normalization process supported by the United Nations, in the primary interest of the Libyan people and for the stability of the entire region. The return of our soldiers from Afghanistan, in compliance with the decisions of the Atlantic Alliance, must take place in a framework of maximum security, according to the plans drawn up in agreement with the allies. Italy and the international community will continue to support the country, in terms of development cooperation, to consolidate the progress made.
In Iraq, it is necessary to continue to work, together with the government and the institutions of the country, in order to guarantee the necessary security framework for rebuilding a climate of tolerance and social inclusion, a precondition for a future of peace and development. Italy will continue to contribute to the stabilization of the region. The Council then took stock of the defense modernization process, in a constantly changing context. Investments in the sector represent a development opportunity for the country and can provide a fundamental contribution in the post-pandemic recovery and resilience phase, especially in the high-tech sectors. finally, the need to proceed with determination in the process of interforce integration of the armed forces was reiterated, in order to make the best use of the available resources and increase the overall effectiveness of the Defense system.