Following an invitation from the new Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, I paid a working visit to Rome. We discussed issues of bilateral defence cooperation and the security of the Mediterranean.
In this context, Cyprus and Italy, together with France and Greece, have established the quadrilateral QUAD initiative. My Italian counterpart and I discussed with my Italian counterpart ways to strengthen this initiative. I highlighted the need for the Eastern Mediterranean region to be designated as an area of special naval interest for the EU.
I also had the pleasure of visiting the Headquarters of the European Naval Operation IRINI. The operation plays a particularly important role in the security of the Libyan maritime area. I am proud because the Republic of Cyprus has supported the initiative from the beginning and participates in it with National Guard personnel.
(MX/SX)
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