Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met with the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Italy Guido Crosetto on 15 September in Warsaw. Deputy Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka also took part in the meeting.

- I am grateful to the Minister for the two sentences said during today’s meeting. First, that stronger Poland means stronger Italy. I am thankful for these words. Poland and Italy do not want to be lonely islands. We want to cooperate, to act in aid of security. This is the rule that will guide us. (…) The other sentence was that the defence of the eastern flank is the defence of Italy. Not just the defence of the Italian border, not just the defence of the Polish border, but collective, allied, joint defence. (…) I am grateful for stating things so clearly and for putting it in practice, when you send your planes or systems. I also remember vessels from the Italian Navy that protected the Baltic Sea and cooperated in our mission. That was in the beginning, when we both became Ministers.

- said the Polish Minister of National Defence after the meeting.

The meeting of the Ministers of Defence of Poland and Italy was another opportunity to discuss the perspectives of cooperation in the areas of security and defence for both countries. Talks were focused both on current security situation, including the situation in Ukraine and intensifying actions of Russia targeting the security of the North Atlantic Alliance, especially violating its airspace, as well as current bilateral relations and the possibility of new joint initiatives. An exchange of experiences in the cooperation of defence industries so far was an important part of the meeting.

The discussions have also concerned actions on the level of the European Union to increase defence capabilities. Cooperation around the SAFE instrument, the aim of which is supporting European defensive investments, was one of the topics. Working together in this area could be an additional space to develop joint projects and bolster European defence industries.

- Another topic is economic cooperation. We are in the second phase of the SAFE mechanism and discuss joint procurement. We have already purchased tanker transport planes together with Spain. Today we have talked about advanced with Minister Crosetto about advanced attack trainer helicopters. This is one of the needs the Polish Armed Forces have, included in the SAFE programme. Italy could support its industry, including the one located in Poland  - I want to remind you, Italian investments are in Świdnik, for example, and it is thousands of people overall. We want to purchase attack trainer helicopters as quickly as possible, and Italy is an important partner for us in this endeavour. We are entering the final phase of negotiations on this matter. I am counting on great openness. It is very important for us to place production in Poland, something the Minister has assured me of

- the Deputy Prime Minister informed.

The continuation of dialogue on the ministerial level confirms the interest of both sides in further developing defence relations, including looking for more areas of cooperation for defence industries. Matters tied to the security of the entire North Atlantic Alliance were an important part of the talks. Poland and Italy, although they are responsible for security on different NATO flanks, see the need to strengthen the defensive capabilities of European countries and increasing their contribution to the security of the whole Alliance.

- We have also received support for the process of creating the headquarters for the programme of oil pipeline extension programme in Poland. This decision was made at the Summit in Ankara. NATO will expand oil pipelines from Western Germany to Poland. This is very important, we have argued for that for more than ten years. We want the headquarters for this project to be placed in Poland. We can count on the support of Italy in this matter at future meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence. Poland and Italy are friends, our relations have never been so close. The development of joint defence capabilities is on the highest level. The next few months will see even closer cooperation and joint actions of the Polish and Italian Armed Forces, for which I am grateful

- noted the Minister of National Defence.

As Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz noted, topics regarding security in the context of the situation in Ukraine were among the things discussed. The Polish Minister of National Defence said that Poland and Italy have the same position on supporting Ukraine. Both countries support it and will continue to do so.

>>> GALLERY – The meeting of Ministers of Defence of Poland and Italy