EU Defence: theInvestments outside the Stability Pact: Minister Crosetto's statement and satisfaction with von der Leyen's announcement

The announcement by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the exclusion of Defense investments from the Stability Pact represents a fundamental step for the European Union. The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, expressed great satisfaction for this decision, underlining how it is a political and diplomatic victory for Italy and the Meloni government. This measure will allow Strengthen the EU's defence capabilities without compromising funding for crucial sectors such as health, education and welfare. Italy will continue to work to translate this commitment into concrete financial instruments, with the aim of building a stronger and more credible common European defense.

"I welcome with particular and personal great satisfaction the announcement by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, regarding what has always been a true obsession of mine for years: the need to separate Defense spending from the Stability Pact which has imposed, on the EU, and for decades, rigid rules and budget constraints on the States that are members. Today's proposal by President von der Leyen goes exactly in this precise direction. The request to advance new initiatives to strengthen investments in defense, starting with the exclusion of these expenses from the Stability and Growth Pact, is a victory of reason and necessity, as well as a great political and diplomatic victory for Italy and the Meloni government. Since the beginning of my mandate I have strongly supported this increasingly pressing need: to exclude investments in Defense and security from the Stability Pact and to prevent such funding from affecting or weakening the sacrosanct spending of individual States in health, education, welfare. Today, finally, the line pursued by Italy is making headway.

This is a first step, fundamental although not sufficient, in the right direction. And this is because, in this way, on the one hand, we recognize the need to equip the European Union with adequate tools to face the ever greater and dangerous challenges posed by global disorder and the international situation and, on the other, we prevent such investments from going to the detriment of equally important and crucial expenses for each country. Today more than ever, Europe can no longer afford to be left behind: we need a credible common defense, capable of protecting our citizens and ensuring stability in the current geopolitical context.

Now is the time to act with determination and, also, to follow up words with actions. Italy, in line with the choices of the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and the continuous innovative efforts of our Armed Forces, which I am honored to govern, will continue to work with the European institutions and its Member States, as well as with all our strategic allies, so that this commitment translates into concrete financial instruments and a clear strategy. The next step will be the presentation of the White Paper on EU Defence, a crucial opportunity to outline the future of our collective security.

The Italian Defense is ready to do its part, with responsibility and with the conviction that a stronger defense means having a safer and more authoritative Europe, but also more solid in its democratic principles and collective well-being for its citizens, on our continent as in the world."Stated the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto.