“The conflicts that are making the geopolitical scenario critical, this imbalance generated by those who do not respect international law and by rebels, terrorists, sees our country involved, as never before, in many scenarios and on the front line in those close to this terrible situation".
Thus the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Matteo Perego of Cremnago, in his speech on board Nave Duilio of the Navy during the rotation ceremony with the ship Fasan, in the European Union operation “ASPIDES”.
"You all" he added, addressing the over 200 women and men of Nave Duilio and of Nave Fasan, which from tomorrow will be part of the mission, “you are the best expression of Italy which, alongside other countries, works for security, the defense of the seas and our economy”.
“From February 17, 2024 to today” said the undersecretary “you were the first flagship with the staff of the European operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES on board, which has been operating as a tactical command starting from 19 February. In your mission to protect merchant ships of national and European interest you carried out close protection activities (in favor of 39 merchant ships out of a total of 79 conducted by the operation), and monitored another 14 commercial ships. Significant numbers in an area where the mission has, so far, repelled 11 Houthi attacks, in 5 of which you were the protagonists.
On behalf of myself and Minister Crosetto I wish the crew of Nave Duilio and its commander Quondamatteo a happy return home, and good winds to Nave Fasan, commander Consoli and his crew for this new adventure" concluded the undersecretary who then visited the Italian military support base (BMIS) in Djibouti to greet the soldiers on mission.
“The BMIS constitutes a valid support structure for all Defense activities in the region” he said while greeting the more than 100 soldiers on the base.
“Support to EUNAVFOR Atalanta for the fight against piracy which is still very much alive, to the national contingents deployed in Somalia in the EU (EUTM and EUCAP) and UN (UNSOM) led missions, the Capacity Building Mission for the Djiboutian forces MIADIT and now also ASPIDES are an incredible commitment and for this I thank you from the bottom of my heart with great pride" he concluded.
