It ended in the Korean capital on Seoul Defense Dialogue 2017 which saw the participation of Italy, represented by Undersecretary of State Domenico Rossi, from over 40 nations, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, England and Russia, as well as representatives of international institutions (UN, Nato , EU). The new forms of terrorist threats, the fight against terrorism, cyber security, military technology, maritime security and nuclear threats were the main topics covered in the conference sessions.
"The considerable presence of so many nations in Seoul has been a demonstration of unity compared to what is happening on the Korean peninsula"Commented Undersecretary Rossi,"Not only a regional crisis that worries the whole world".
After the opening ceremony and the initial greetings of Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, the first session of the conference was devoted to the nuclear threat and security on the Korean peninsula.
In his speech, Undersecretary Rossi reported the position of Italy, from the beginning of the year and until December 2017 among the countries of the UN Security Council and to the presidency of the Sanctions Committee, which "strongly condemns the nuclear tests carried out by North Korea, a clear violation of international law and of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions "and then reiterated that" Italy is in favor of adopting restrictive measures against Korea of the North and aims to enforce them vigorously, inviting the entire international community and the member States of the Security Council of the United Nations to direct their efforts in this direction".
It is the first time that Italy has participated in this annual conference launched in the 2012 and now in its sixth edition. "In the comparison between the present countries the concern of a dangerous escalation of the North Korean threat in the area emerged", Underlined Rossi,"Seoul is continuing to live its life, a city in the hands of young people. At the same time, from an institutional point of view, the evolution of the situation is followed with concern".
The undersecretary, accompanied by the Italian ambassador Marco della Seta, had the opportunity to meet the Deputy Defense Minister of the Republic of Korea, Suh Choo-suk with whom he discussed collaborations in the defense sector between Italy and South Korea in view of the signing of the memorandum which also provides for joint training and information exchange.
At the US military base in Seoul, Undersecretary Rossi, received by General Vincent K. Brooks, commander of the US military in Korea, spoke about the Italian military missions in progress and the fight against terrorism. For his part, General Brooks expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the Italian Defense which operates in more than 30 international missions.
Undersecretary Rossi's visit to South Korea ended in Panmunjeom, where the Joint Security Area (JSA) is located, the only meeting point between North Korea and South Korea's militias throughout the demilitarized zone Korean.
