Riga – In recent days, the Chief of the Italian Defense Staff, General Luciano Portolano, visited the Italian contingents deployed in NATO missions in Latvia and Hungary and met with NATO commands in Brunssum, Mons, and Ramstein. The purpose of the visit was to receive updates on ongoing operations, strengthen cooperation with allies, and reaffirm Italy’s commitment to collective defense and global stability.

Accompanied by General Guglielmo Miglietta, Portolano began his visit at the NATO base in Ādaži, Latvia, where he met with the Latvian commander and greeted the Italian troops engaged in the "Baltic Guardian" mission, commending their professionalism. He then held talks with multinational force commanders to reinforce cooperation in collective defense.

In Hungary, he met with General Gábor Böröndi to enhance bilateral cooperation along NATO’s eastern flank and visited Camp Croft, where he met with Italian troops participating in the "Enhanced Vigilance Activity" operation, highlighting Italy’s contribution to NATO’s defense.

Portolano also met with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, General Chris Cavoli, in Mons to discuss strategic issues and Italy’s role on NATO’s eastern flank. The visit concluded at Ramstein Air Base with his participation in the European Strategy Conference.