Italian PM states NATO remains backbone of European defense

(MENAFN) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on Tuesday that NATO should continue to serve as the foundation of Europe’s defense strategy, cautioning against establishing a separate European military structure.

Speaking to the national parliament, Meloni supported increased collaboration and coordination among European nations but argued that forming an independent defense mechanism outside NATO would be counterproductive. "I want a European pillar of NATO, but I think that a European defense parallel to NATO would be a mistake. It would be a useless duplication,” she said.

Addressing claims that U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies have contributed to the growing volatility in global affairs, Meloni pushed back against the idea of pinning current global instability on any single leader. “It seems like simplifications to me. It is true that there is a situation of growing chaos, but it did not start today,” she noted.

Regarding the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Meloni commented on the delicate state of the truce, expressing cautious optimism about its potential to pave the way toward renewed diplomatic efforts. “The situation is still very complex but we are still confident that we can move forward with the truce and that we can eventually return to negotiations," she added.

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