Italy’s MoD call for stronger EU-US cooperation
Rome: Key developments. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto called for enhanced US-EU coordination on defence strategy amid a rapidly shifting global security landscape.
His stance reinforces Rome’s pivotal role as a bridge between Brussels and Washington, aiming to secure Europe’s strategic future.
Towards the Paris summit. Speaking on Tuesday in a televised interview ahead of high-level talks in Paris with defence ministers from France, Germany, the UK, and Poland, Crosetto stressed that European defence initiatives must be developed in full cooperation with NATO and the United States.
“We must be ready for any scenario,” he declared, warning of the risk posed by a potential partial US disengagement from NATO.
He has tasked the General Staff with mapping out future defence needs, recognising that Italy’s current military structure was built for a post-Cold War world that no longer exists.
A complementary effort. Rather than viewing European strategic autonomy as an alternative to US cooperation, Crosetto framed it as a complementary endeavour.
He advocates for an integrated vision where US and EU capabilities reinforce one another, a partnership he deems essential for long-term stability.
Backing investment. Crosetto strongly supported Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti’s proposed €16 billion European defence fund.
This initiative aims to mobilise industrial investments in critical technologies and security-related infrastructure.
“It’s a brilliant and necessary proposal,” Crosetto remarked, emphasising that defence and economic policies must evolve in tandem to ensure resilience and competitiveness.
Industrial leverage through F-35s. The minister briefly highlighted Italy’s commitment to the F-35 programme as a model of transatlantic cooperation.
He pointed out that the production of fighter jets in Cameri, a city in Northern-West Italy, not only strengthens ties with the United States but also creates high-value jobs and export opportunities, bringing substantial economic benefits to Italy.
Crosetto’s model. As Europe accelerates its defence ambitions under the ReArm Europe plan, Crosetto insists on a model based on strong transatlantic cohesion.
In his view, only through enhanced U.S.-EU cooperation can Europe build credible deterrence and safeguard its strategic interests in an increasingly unpredictable global environment.
