Italy Urges NATO to Engage with Global South

(MENAFN) Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized on Friday the necessity for NATO to evolve in response to shifting global dynamics.

Speaking to a news agency, Crosetto stated, “If NATO was born to guarantee peace and mutual defense, either it becomes an organization that takes on this task by talking to the Global South or we will not reach the goal of having security within rules that apply to everyone.”

His remarks underline the importance of broadening NATO's dialogue beyond traditional Western alliances to effectively maintain international peace.

Crosetto further noted, “The US and the EU are no longer the center of the world,” highlighting a significant transformation in global influence that necessitates an updated strategic approach from Western institutions like NATO.

Addressing the issue of whether American military installations in Italy might be used should Washington engage in the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel, Crosetto clarified that Italian officials have not received any such communication from the United States.

“It is useless to talk about something that does not exist, but every time (Italian) Parliament asks us to go and report, we go, it is an obligation,” he explained, pointing to the standard protocol of reporting to Parliament when required.

Violence erupted the previous Friday as Israel conducted aerial assaults on various targets across Iran, including key military and nuclear infrastructure. In retaliation, Tehran responded with missile strikes.

Since the conflict began, Israeli sources have reported that at least 25 individuals have lost their lives, and hundreds more have sustained injuries as a result of Iranian attacks.

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