Speech by H.E. Ambassador Alfredo Durante Mangoni, delivered on the occasion of the reception organized at the Italian Residence yesterday, November 4, to celebrate the Day of National Unity and the Italian Armed Forces, exclusive statement to Nine O’Clock
H.E. Ambassador Alfredo Durante Mangoni: “Welcome to the Residence of Italy for the Day of National Unity and of the Armed Forces. For my Country, November 4 is the meaningful anniversary of the Victory in the First World War and the accomplishment of “Risorgimento italiano”. This morning at the Ghencea Military Cemetery, where 1,750 Italian soldiers who fell in the line of duty are buried alongside Romanian comrades, we have rekindled the memory of their sacrifice.
The Italian Republic of today, as a cornerstone of European reconciliation and integration, celebrates the contribution of our Army to a foreign and security policy aimed at achieving international peace, stability and prosperity and promoting the values of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights that are the linchpin of our common European house.
This year again, this celebration comes at a time of increased challenges for peace and security, which are also directly affecting Romania.
In a context of multiplied risks and manifold crises, ranging from climate to geopolitical threats, from food security and migration, the Italian Constitution shines once again in highlighting Italy’s role as peace-maker in international relations; repealing war as a means of settlement of international disputes; and allowing limits to national sovereignty in order to achieve peace and justice through the multilateral organizations established for this purpose.
This is how Italy behaves within the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union, as one of the major contributors to their missions. Today, nearly 7,000 military personnel are deployed overseas in three Continents and over 30 peace-keeping missions. They feature enthusiasm, professionalism, discipline and devotion: from Lebanon as leading partner of UNIFIL, where Italy has repeatedly held the position of Head of Mission and Force Commander; to the stabilization of Western Balkans through the KFOR mission in Kosovo, where Italy took the leadership again last month; from the NATO Mission Iraq to our commitment to deterrence and defense along the Eastern flank of NATO, for ex. in Bulgaria, Lithuania and Hungary.
Today the new Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte is in Rome to acknowledge that – as a founding member of the Alliance – Italy promotes an inclusive approach to the collective security and core tasks of the Alliance in many different ways, looking at all kinds of threats and risk areas, from East to South. We host several Alliance structures, such as the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps near Milan and the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples. In January the former Chief of Italian Defense will take over as Chair of NATO Military Committee.
In this framework, I am glad to announce that the Italian Air Force, Aeronautica Militare Italiana, will again fulfill a NATO air policing mission to Romania in spring 2025. Romania is one of our most precious Allies, whose engagement in ensuring the security of the South-Eastern flank and the Black Sea is of crucial importance for NATO. Romania has repeatedly shown its capacity to ensure the security of the EU external border also after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Italy urges once again the EU Council to complete Romania’s full accession to the Schengen area as a more than ever reasonable, timely and fair measure. I also welcome Romania’s signature to join the Military Mobility Corridor VIII, alongside Italy, Albania, Bulgaria and North Macedonia, and for taking over the leadership of the EUFOR ALTHEA mission in Bosnia Herzegovina from next January.
In light of excellent bilateral relations in all fields, marked by the recent Government to Government meeting that enhanced our Strategic Partnership, the cooperation in the area of defense and security has grown significantly.
The launch of joint Army staff talks broadens our dialogue. The next air policing assets will deepen interoperability and mutual trust.
This trust and exchange will also enable enhancing defense industry cooperation, which already boasts success stories, expanding it to maritime security, undersea, space, countering hybrid threats, cybersecurity and other areas of mutual interest. Few people know that Italy is a main partner of European and international programs, like the F-35 where we are the primary European user of the system; at the industrial level, Italy is the first partner after the United States, with over 100 companies involved in the development and production of the aircraft. Besides, Italy produces F-35s for several countries, has facilities for final assembly, check out and maintenance as well as training infrastructures. These achievements are relevant also for the development of the sixth-generation aircraft GCAP.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
After decades of peace assured by the Euro-Atlantic choice, the reckless invasion of Ukraine and the war unleashed by the Russian Federation, together with the never-ending catastrophe in the Middle East, revive the challenge of security and peace as invaluable treasures to promote, protect and defend. The Italian Government is committed, as a reliable and active member of the EU and NATO, with all our capabilities, to support Ukraine in its right to achieve a fair peace based on sovereignty and integrity, as well as in restoring its economy. Accompanying the Republic of Moldova’s journey to the European family is another key endeavor for our Countries.
My last remarks advocate for the creation of a common Defense of the European Union, a much needed response to an existential threat posed by Russia; a European Defense equipped with adequate and credible military capabilities. The next European Commission must aggregate value towards this reform, while ensuring full complementarity with NATO and nurturing the Alliance with the United States, a strategic partnership based on shared values of freedom, democracy and human rights.
Developing a common European Defense policy must be paired with a European Defence Industry capable of responding, in a coherent way, to the operational requirements of the Member States. We should reverse the current trend of about 80% of defense spending going outside the EU borders. Our Governments and companies should thoroughly look into the recommendations of the Draghi Report, which outlines challenges and opportunities for the competitiveness of European industry and calls for aggregations in defense procurement and acquisition programs in order to exploit economies of scale, increase standardization and lead to more effective operations also with NATO.
In this sense, Italy is doing its job. We stand ready to cooperate with interested partners – and of course Romania – to improve technology, know-how and operational capabilities, and share knowledge and experience to the benefit of a Union of Defense. A strong defense capacity is a guarantor of security to our citizens and of economic growth. Defense is the premise for our States to prosper in freedom. Defense is the pillar to build democracy. Our joint endeavors will strengthen the resilience, security and prosperity of our Nations and societies.
Viva l’Unità Nazionale, viva le Forze Armate!
Viva la Romania!
Viva l’Italia!
05.11.2024 / Pub;isher Mihai Manea
Ambassador of Italy to Romania
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