Statement by Palazzo Chigi on new initiatives announced by the European Commission to increase investments in defence

The Italian Government welcomes the announcement by the President of the European Commission regarding new initiatives aimed at increasing investments in defence, starting with the exclusion of these expenses from the Stability and Growth Pact, as Italy has long been requesting.

This is a first, fundamental step in the right direction, which also needs to be followed by the creation of common financial instruments.

The Italian Government is ready to work constructively with the EU institutions and the other Member States to achieve these important goals together, starting with the upcoming presentation of the EU defence white paper.