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Last update: 03-Mar-2004 19:06 NATO Update

3 Mar. 2004
 

Italian Foreign Minister visits NATO

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03/03/2004 - NATO
Visit to NATO of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, the Honorable Franco Frattini
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Address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, the Honorable Franco Frattini to the North Atlantic Council
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Press conference by Franco Frattini, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, at NATO HQ .MP3/11323Kb (In Italian)
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini addressed the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s principal decision-making body, and met for talks with the Secretary General during a one-day visit to NATO, 3 March.

We should promote a common vision of the current threats to our security. This vision should include both the ‘unfinished work’ of the post-1989 agenda and our response to the new threats that have emerged since 11 September 2001,” the Minister said in his address to the Council.

Minister Frattini focused in particular on the Greater Middle East, underlining the need to "fully commit ourselves to promoting stability, democracy and prosperity in this vast region, with a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of tension".

Prior to addressing the Council, the Minister met with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. They exchanged views on the issues likely to be key topics of the Summit meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in Istanbul in June this year.

Minister Frattini also presented a gift of the Italian Government to NATO, "La Cittá Ideale", a reproduction of an Italian Renaissance architectural perspective.