(Adnkronos) – Italy’s military mission in Niger plays a “crucial” role in the government’s strategy in the West African country and in the Sahel region, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said Friday during a visit to troops at the mission’s military base.
“Your presence and your role are crucial to Italy’s strategy in the Sahel and, specifically, in Niger, Tajani said during a visit to personnel deployed with Italy’s training and support mission in Niger (MISIN).
“We are proud of you. Because you represent our country, our homeland, beyond national borders,” Tajani went on.
Italy’s top diplomat described MISIN as “a challenging, difficult mission in challenging territory”.
Tajani’s visit to Niger together with interior minister Matteo Piantedosi sought “strengthen the ties between our country and this sub-Saharan African country, which is facing terrorism and instability,” he said.
“We believe it is important to guarantee our support to this country to allow it to act as a bulwark against terrorism, halt illegal immigration and human, drugs and weapons trafficking,” Tajani underlined.
Tajani was wrapping up a three-day visit to West Africa with Piantedosi aimed at strengthening economic, political and security ties with the region and curbing migration, drugs and arms trafficking.
