Italy seeks to advance defense cooperation with PH

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 20, 2022): Italy seeks to advance defense cooperation with PH (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

PH, ITALY DEFENSE COOPERATION. Italian President Sergio Mattarella with Philippine Ambassador to Italy Nathaniel Imperial on the occasion of the latter’s Presentation of Credentials at the Palazzo del Quirinale on June 15, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Palazzo del Quirinale)

MANILA – Italy seeks to strengthen relations with Manila in the area of defense, especially on the procurement of defense equipment, the Philippine Embassy in Rome said Tuesday.

This was conveyed during the presentation of Philippine Ambassador Nathaniel Imperial’s credentials to Italian President Sergio Mattarella on June 15.

“President Mattarella recognized the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific. He agreed with the significance of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on freedom of navigation and overflight and regional stability,” the embassy said.

“President Mattarella said that Italy hopes to pursue defense cooperation with the Philippines, particularly on the procurement of defense equipment,” it added.

The Filipino envoy, for his part, said Manila welcomes Italy’s participation in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the country is diversifying its sources of supply of defense equipment.

Asked what Italy can offer, Imperial, said: "We only spoke for 20 minutes so he did not go into detail but Italy has always been considered as a potential supplier of Philippine defense equipment".

During their talk, Imperial also thanked Italy for its support for the G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communiqué and the landmark ruling.

READ: Italian Navy patrol ship ‘Morosini’ to make PH port call in July

This coming July, Italian Navy patrol ship Francesco Morosini is expected to make a port visit in Manila as part of Italy’s efforts to increase interaction with the Philippine Navy.

Earlier, Italy’s Defense Attache Maurizio Pitton discussed with the PN future collaborations between Rome and Manila with regard to the “new concept and new generation patrol vessels” that could help the Navy's ongoing modernization efforts.

Imperial also expressed Manila's appreciation for Italy’s hospitality to an estimated 165,000 Filipinos who now call Italy their second home.

Mattarella praised the Filipino community and affirmed that they have integrated well into Italian society.

Both also noted the record-high volume of trade last year at EUR1.24 billion, which surpassed figures prior to the pandemic.

In 2019, two-way trade between Italy and the Philippines amounted to EUR1.09 billion.

Imperial said he hopes to further increase this during his term as Philippine Ambassador to Italy as he also sought to convene "as soon as possible" various bilateral mechanisms with Rome, including on political consultations, to give direction and momentum to the growing ties between the two states.

The two nations celebrated 75 years of bilateral relations on July 9, 2022.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203932