Secretary General in Rome: NATO promotes security and stability in the Mediterranean
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg began a visit to Rome on Thursday (22 November) to participate in this year’s Mediterranean Dialogues Conference, which addresses shared challenges in the region. Speaking on a panel with Italian Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta and Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Alhakim, the Secretary General outlined NATO’s role in the fight against terrorism and emphasised the importance of training local forces to secure peace.
By enhancing the resilience of partners, he argued, NATO can build security and stability. “Prevention is better than intervention,” he said. The Secretary General noted the importance of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, new training mission in Iraq and increased support for partners.
In the margins of the conference, the Secretary General met with the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enzo Moavero Milanese, and Defence Minister Trenta. The Secretary General thanked both leaders for Italy’s valuable contributions to NATO, including in Afghanistan and Kosovo. He also praised the country’s role in driving NATO’s adaptation to threats from the South.
On Friday, the Secretary General will visit the Headquarters of Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, and tour the Regional Hub for the South. The Hub helps to monitor regional threats and coordinate responses.