Bulgaria 23 Dec 2025
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, on an official visit to Bulgaria, met with the Italian contingent of the NATO Multinational Battle Group.
“If Italy is today one of the pillars of international security, it is thanks to the commitment of each and every one of you and of those who came before you. In a historical phase marked by profound instability, in order to speak of peace and dialogue it is necessary to have credibility: the credibility that today distinguishes our country and that you have helped to build over the years, above all through your commitment to international missions. Our Armed Forces have sown respect and friendship around the world, representing the country with professionalism and with that deep sense of humanity that distinguishes us by culture and tradition, founded on respect for people. Today I am also here to remind you of the value of what you do every day: building Italy’s reputation in the world. You have done so by honouring the oath sworn to the Republic, to serve the country at any cost. For this, I thank each of you and bow to your work.
To you and your families, my sincere wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a New Year full of hope.”
So stated Minister Crosetto.
Earlier, the Minister held an important exchange of views with his counterpart, Atanas Zapryanov, during which the strength of cooperation between Italy and Bulgaria was reaffirmed, both bilaterally and within NATO and the European Union.
“Great satisfaction was expressed for the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement on the construction and joint management of military infrastructure in the Kabile area,” said Minister Crosetto, who added: “I thanked Bulgaria for the support provided to the Italian contingent at the Novo Selo Training Area, where Italy operates in command of the Multinational Battle Group. We shared the intention to strengthen cooperation in the operational, training and educational fields, with particular attention to hybrid threats, also with a view to the desired strategic cooperation in the defence industry sector. A positive assessment was expressed of the posture on the Alliance’s Eastern Flank, confirming a firm stance focused on preventing escalation.”
