Today the Undersecretary of State for Defense Matteo Perego of Cremnago participated in the change of the rotation (from 11 to 12) of the Italian contingent, based on the Garibaldi brigade (EI), in the mission Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) in Latvia.
“It is with great emotion that I am here today, in this operational theatre, to bring you all Happy Holidays from the Italian Government that I represent today” so the undersecretary in his speech "being here today is not only important to demonstrate to the Italian contingent, to you, the closeness and support of the institutions, it is important because you contribute with this mission to defending peace, you here have a strategic role for security and balance international. Never forget that!"
“The historical and international political period we are experiencing,” says Perego “that the West is experiencing requires the utmost commitment on the part of each of you: the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has raised the levels of attention and the importance of the role that Italy plays here today and with it NATO. Working for and with the Atlantic alliance means working for peace, for and with the West."
"Talking about European defense today is no longer a mirage, it is now a reality", continues the Undersecretary of State for Defence, "the Atlantic alliance, which finds in this mission one of the key points around which to build a defensive strategy for the West, cannot disregard a strong Europe, a European Union aware of its own capabilities and above all aiming at achieving of that strategic autonomy both in terms of industrial technology and in terms of intervention capacity. Strengthening Europe means strengthening NATO, which means strengthening the West and always working for peace."
"I want to thank you and tell the women and men involved here in Latvia and in other missions abroad that you are not alone, that Italy, that the government, that the Ministry of Defense supports you, supports you, supports you, is by your side.
After the difficult years of COVID with a sharp and dangerous conflict at the gates of Europe, in a strategic territory for international balances, we are aware of the sacrifice and work you do away from home, away from your families to serve the country , to serve the tricolor, to serve the Atlantic alliance: we are proud of you.” concludes the undersecretary.
The eFP is a measure of a defensive nature, proportionate and fully in line with NATO's international commitment to strengthen the Alliance's principle of deterrence. In particular, having strengthened the presence on the eastern flank of the Alliance represents a clear example of the determination to fulfill the primary mission of collective security of the Euro-Atlantic territorial integrity against any possible aggression and threat, as well as the reaffirmation of cohesion and solidarity among the member countries.
