Page 12 - Coespu Magazine 2017-2

In Afghanistan, we are still supporting the stabilization of the country with 950 personnel deployed on
NATO’s Resolute Support Mission, where Italy fills the position of Deputy Commander and serves as
Framework Nation of the Training Advisory Assistance Command West (TAAC-W) in Herat.
In Africa, Sahel’s current security conditions are giving cause for concern. This region, which can be
considered the “Southern border of Europe”, is where many phenomena are emerging that directly
affect European security. For this reason, Italy is supporting a large number of capacity-building
initiatives of the International Community, primarily EU’s, to create the conditions for long-term
security and development in the region. Also in the Horn of Africa, Italian defence plays a very active
role as leader of the European Union Training Mission in Somalia and as a member of the EU air-
naval operation Atalanta.
We are among the main promoters and actors in a number of multilateral and bilateral initiatives aimed
at stabilizing the Mediterranean, in accordance with our national strategic priorities. This includes our
overarching commitment to Libya with a view to pursuing an effective “whole-of-government
approach” to solve the crisis in the country. In September 2016, we deployed 300 personnel on
operation “Hippocrates” on Libyan request to provide medical support to the local forces that fight
DAESH as well as administer advisory and capacity building activities in the health care sector in
Misrata.
The Italian presence in the Mediterranean is also relevant. We are deployed on operation “Mare
Sicuro” to fulfil protection and security tasks at sea, and protect sea lines of communication, naval
transports and Italian oil platforms. In the EU, we are part to the EUNAVFORMED “Sophia” to
disrupt the criminal networks associated to human trafficking and train the Libyan Navy and Coast
Guard. Within NATO, Italy is contributing to the highly flexible maritime operation “Sea Guardian” to
fulfil a wide range of operational tasks related to maritime security.
In conclusion, considering the unpredictability of current international scenarios, Italian Defence - and
Italy as a whole - as an active and careful player in the
context of global security has no intention to shun its
own responsibilities. Therefore, in order to be always up
to the task, Italy will continue to adjust and develop
multidimensional response capabilities to meet any
security requirement.
In order for this to happen, Italian Defence should rely
on our most valuable asset, namely our servicemen and
servicewomen. They are competent and deeply
motivated professionals, our most precious resource.
They can make the difference, much more than any
technological or organizational innovation, albeit
significant. These are men and women we are proud of.
Of these men and women I am the proud Commander.

General Claudio Graziano

Chief of Italian Defence General Staff

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