Italy keen to enhance military cooperation horizons with Egypt: Defense minister

CAIRO – 17 May 2023: Italy’s Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto said his country is keen to enhance the horizons of military cooperation with Egypt during the coming period, a statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces’ spokesman said.

In a meeting with Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki on Wednesday, Crosetto extended deep appreciation for the efforts of the Egyptian Armed Forces in all fields.

For his part, Zaki voiced appreciation for the extended historic relations between Egypt and Italy in various fields and their ongoing coordination.

The Egyptian defense minister also affirmed the consensus of the two countries’ visions on supporting security and stability in the region.

The meeting discussed regional and international issues as well as issues of mutual concern between Egypt and Italy in light of the military cooperation and trade exchange between their armed forces.

Egypt’s Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Osama Askar, Italian Chief of Defense Staff Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and a number of Egyptian and Italian commanders attended the meeting.

 

Meanwhile, Crosetto met with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, where they affirmed mutual keenness to advance the bilateral cooperation frameworks between the two countries during the coming period, especially in the military and security fields, the Egyptian Presidency’s spokesman said earlier on the day.

During the meeting with Sisi, Crosetto praised Egypt’s essential role in preserving stability in the Middle East and the Mediterranean regions.

Sisi and Crosetto also discussed the illegal immigration phenomenon and affirmed the necessity for concerted efforts to advance the mechanisms of confronting transnational challenges.

The two sides also agreed on continuing developing the ongoing military cooperation between Egypt and Italy and expressed keenness on enhancing the historic and firm relations between the two countries.

They also discussed a number of regional issues, especially Libya and Sudan, and have agreed on the importance of advancing political solutions to the crisis facing the region.

This comes within the framework of preserving the unity and integrity of the nations and fulfilling the aspirations of people toward security and stability, the spokesman said.