NATO Secretary General starts visit to Italy
The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg started a two-day visit to Rome on Sunday (10 June 2018) with a meeting with the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Enzo Moavero Milanesi. Mr. Stoltenberg thanked the foreign minister for Italy's highly valued contributions, including in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and its focus on challenges from the south, which are important for the whole Alliance.
They discussed preparations for the NATO Summit on 11-12 July in Brussels, including stepping up NATO's efforts to project stability and fight terrorism through the launch of a new training mission in Iraq and more support for Jordan and Tunisia.
There was also agreement on the importance of the dual-track approach to Russia, of defence and dialogue. Another topic discussed was cooperation between NATO and the European Union, which has reached unprecedented levels. The Secretary General and the Italian foreign minister also discussed progress as regards burden-sharing within the Alliance, which includes both cash, capabilities and contributions to operations.
On Monday (11 June 2018), Mr. Stoltenberg will meet Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta.