On 26 and 27 April 2023, Senior Course 142 attended the Italian Days, involving two days of briefings at the Comando Operativo di Vertice Interforze (COVI – Italian Command for Joint Operations) and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Rome. They learned about Italy’s strategic vision, priorities and areas of national interest in the defence and security sectors. Italy’s commitment to the Alliance, the EU and the UN, as well as its strategic direction focused on support in the Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Mediterranean area were some of the topics addressed.
The first day, hosted by COVI, began with an office call and gift exchange between the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann, the Italian Chief of Defence, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, and Lieutenant General Figliuolo, the Commandant of COVI. This was followed by an opening speech by the Italian Chief of Defence. He highlighted the value of the NDC as “one of the most prestigious centre of studies within the Alliance”, with its unique networking environment. He then delivered a brief overview of the Italian military priorities and commitments under the currently challenging times on a global scale, highlighting the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the increasing demand for security in the Mediterranean and Africa regions. He stated that Italy intends to combine realism with cooperation and dialogue, and to facilitate the management of existing tensions, especially in the Mediterranean region. He concluded by stressing that Italy remains strongly committed to NATO and to the values that the Alliance stands for.
The Commandant of COVI, Lieutenant General Figliuolo, an NDC Ancien himself, welcomed the NDC Commandant and Course Members and gave an introductory speech highlighting Italy’s commitments and contributions to the Alliance, aimed at promoting peace and stability abroad. He underlined that the Alliance was more united than ever and he stressed the importance of cooperation among nations. He encouraged Course Members to forge strong bonds, to learn as much as they could from the NDC’s Senior Course, and to use the knowledge acquired to make a positive difference in the world.
Afterwards, Navy Captain Daniele Martinuzzi, from the Italian General Defence Staff, and Navy Captain Giovanni Tongiorgi, from the Command for Joint Operations, spoke about the national and international commitments of the Italian military forces. Navy Captain Martinuzzi explained the geostrategic context in which the armed forces currently operate, the main challenges coming from both state and non-state actors, Italy’s areas of national interest, i.e. the Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Mediterranean regions, and the country’s military approach based on two pillars: missions and operations on the one hand, and international cooperation on the other. Navy Captain Tongiorgi briefed SC 142 about “The Italian Defence Commitments” and the country’s contributions to the UN, NATO and the EU.
In the afternoon, Course Members attended briefings at the Secretariat General for Defence/National Armaments Directorate building, where a gift exchange and an office call took place between the NDC Commandant and Dr Luisa Riccardi, Director of the Technological Innovation Department, also attended by the NDC Director of Enablement and the lecturers of the day, Colonel Luca Parmeggiani and Navy Captain Francesco A. Marchetti.
Dr Riccardi, also an NDC Ancien, welcomed Course Members and highlighted how the NDC’s Senior Course provides a unique opportunity to form personal relationships that strengthen the Alliance. She spoke about the role and strategic importance of technological innovation, and the relevance for the Alliance of investing in technological innovation.
Colonel Parmeggiani then delivered a presentation on “Defence Industry Policy: Insights for Responsive Adaptation”. He addressed the need to analyse current threats and challenges and to pool capabilities and technologies amongst Allies in order to set up an efficient and cohesive defence industrial system. Navy Captain Marchetti delivered the last brief on “Technological Innovation for Defence Italian perspectives and NATO Initiatives”. All the day’s lectures were followed by a Q&A session.
On Day 2, Course Members visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Plenipotentiary Alessandro Cattaneo welcomed them and gave a lecture on “NATO: Current Adaptation and Italian Priorities”. He highlighted Italy’s commitment to NATO and the value of the transatlantic community as key to uphold our democratic values and defend our security. He stressed that the EU and NATO stand for the same values of democracy and human rights, and should work and grow together. He further underlined the importance of the 360-degree approach outlined in the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept, and the need to be prepared to implement a modern vision of societal security that addresses all threats and challenges. His lecture was then followed by a Q&A session.
The second lecture on “Challenges of Contemporary Terrorism: the Italian experience”, by Mr Arturo Varriale from the Ministry of the Interior, offered an international and domestic perspective on the issue of terrorism in Italy from the 1970s to the present day, and described the toolbox used by the authorities to prevent and counter terrorist attacks.
Director General for Political Affairs Ambassador Pasquale Ferrara delivered the closing remarks. He indicated that considering the new strategic environment, it was important for NATO to concentrate on priorities and work on a comprehensive approach to security in order to combat the whole spectrum of threats and challenges. He added that a more strategic vision was needed in the Alliance, and that the knowledge that Course Members were gaining from the NDC’s Senior Course would make a key contribution to achieving that goal.
Next was an office call between the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia; the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Rittimann; the NDC Director of Enablement, Brigadier General Riccardo Brizi; and the Head of the NDC Public Affairs Office, Lieutenant Colonel Massimo Giuliano.
Course Members were then given a tour of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs art collection, followed by a guided tour of the Quirinale Palace, which concluded the Italian Days programme for Senior Course 142.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Sofia Carvalheiro, PRT C)
NATO Defense College