Egypt and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening military cooperation following high-level talks between the chiefs of staff of both nations in Cairo on Tuesday.
The meeting, held at the Egyptian Ministry of Defence headquarters, brought together Egypt’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Osama Askar, and his Italian counterpart, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. Discussions centered on enhancing joint training, intelligence-sharing, counterterrorism strategies, and regional security cooperation.
According to a statement from Egypt’s Armed Forces, the two sides explored avenues to expand their strategic partnership, with particular focus on maritime security in the Mediterranean, border control, and collaboration in defence technology.
“Egypt values its longstanding relationship with Italy, and we are committed to working closely to confront common challenges and maintain regional stability,” said Lt. Gen. Askar during the meeting.
Admiral Dragone echoed those sentiments, highlighting Italy’s interest in bolstering defence ties with a key regional partner. “Our nations share mutual interests in security and stability across the Mediterranean and North Africa,” he stated.
The visit is seen as part of a broader effort by both countries to reinforce defence diplomacy amid ongoing instability in the region, including tensions in Libya, the Red Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Military analysts note that the renewed focus on bilateral defence ties also reflects Europe’s growing interest in security partnerships beyond NATO’s eastern flank, particularly in light of evolving global threats.
The visit concluded with both delegations pledging continued dialogue and coordination, including joint exercises and future defence industry cooperation.
This latest engagement marks another step in the deepening of Egypt-Italy relations, underscoring Cairo’s pivotal role as a security player in the region and Italy’s intent to maintain a proactive defence posture in Mediterranean affairs.
