Yesterday the Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini had a videoconference with the Deputy Prime Minister for Public Order and Security and Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov. Guerini: “The full convergence of views between our countries in NATO, in complementarity with the growing commitment in that of the EU, are an element of concreteness of our partnership”.
“Between Italy and Bulgaria there has long been an extremely effective bilateral cooperation that we intend to intensify, confirming the will to continue the virtuous path of operational and industrial collaboration between our Armed Forces.”
Thus, the Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini during the meeting – held by videoconference – with the Deputy Prime Minister for Public Order and Security and Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov.
“The full convergence of views between our countries in the NATO arena, in complementarity with the growing commitment in that of the EU, are an element of concreteness of our partnership,” said Guerini who, on the occasion, addressed his thanks to his colleague from Bulgaria for the support provided to our country in the activities related to the European Strategic Compass, through the co-signing of the contribution of thought drafted by Italy on the subject of partnerships.
“I believe that the contribution made in this area by the Member Countries can concretely facilitate the achievement of the level of ambition in the field of security and defense, in adherence to the three strategic priorities arising from the EU Global Strategy,” he added.
A long and cordial conversation in which the two Ministers focused on some issues of common interest, including bilateral and industrial cooperation, on which Guerini expressed the hope that Italy and Bulgaria can cooperate more, developing further synergies, ensuring the full support of the Italian Defense for the further development of the capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.
Another topic at the center of the conversation was the start of a cooperation in the underwater sector that would also guarantee the two countries the opportunity of operational and training cooperation of their respective navies in the Black Sea and in the Mediterranean also in relation to the importance of Bulgaria, as a NATO member, for the security of the eastern side of the Alliance.
The two ministers then focused on the strategic importance of the Balkans and the role of the two countries in the region. “Italy, as I had the opportunity to affirm at NATO – Guerini continued – intends to continue with continuity its commitment in the Western Balkans, where we hold the command of Operation Kfor”. There is great attention towards the security of this area, and I believe that Bulgaria, a country with which Italy has an important cooperation, has an important role.
Finally, a reflection on the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic was not missing; Guerini and Karakachanov hoped for the full success of the vaccination campaign in progress in the European countries and the return to normal conditions.
During the meeting the Bulgarian Minister expressed his condolences for the death of Ambassador Luca Attanasio and Carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci, killed on Monday in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
