Madrid - “We live in an international context that is not only fragile and precarious but increasingly insecure, with repercussions on military, economic, social, and technological fronts. The growing global conflicts have clear and alarming impacts on the Mediterranean—a sea that has always been crucial and vital, the cradle of both Western and Eastern civilizations, as well as a meeting point between two continents. By fostering collaboration and synergy, these continents can and must remain central to global dynamics that we must increasingly learn to manage. This is why we have a responsibility to work together, with long-term interconnected and correlated strategies. The Italian Defense will continue to contribute to the 5+5 initiative, aware of the importance of creating a future of shared stability and prosperity.”

These were the words of Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto yesterday in Madrid during the 5+5 Defense Ministerial Meeting, a collaborative forum for Western Mediterranean countries that includes Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain.

Crosetto also met with his Tunisian counterpart, Khaled Shili, stating, “There is a shared Italian-Tunisian commitment to exploring new avenues for mutual security and contributing to Mediterranean stability through training initiatives and industrial cooperation. Tunisia is a key player in international stability, a strategic country for both Europe and Italy.”