Statement by President Meloni

The Italian Government was astonished to learn of President Trump's remarks claiming that NATO allies "stayed back" during the operations in Afghanistan.

Following the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, NATO activated Article 5 for the first and only time in its history: an act of extraordinary solidarity towards the United States.

In that large-scale operation against those fuelling terrorism, Italy responded immediately together with its allies, deploying thousands of military personnel and assuming full responsibility for Regional Command West, one of the most significant operational areas of the entire international mission.

Over the course of almost twenty years of commitment, our nation paid an unquestionable price: 53 fallen Italian soldiers and more than 700 injured during combat operations, security missions, and training programmes for Afghan forces.

For this reason, statements minimising NATO countries' contribution in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially if they come from an allied nation.

Italy and the United States are bound by a solid friendship based on shared values and long-standing cooperation, which is all the more necessary in the face of the many current challenges. However, friendship requires respect - a fundamental condition for continuing to guarantee the solidarity that forms the basis of the Atlantic Alliance.

[Courtesy translation]