(Adnkronos) – Italy fully respects international accords and guidelines presented to parliament, while relations with the United States are “solid”, the government stated on Tuesday after a media report that it refused to allow US bombers to land at an airbase in Sicily before flying to the Middle East.
“With regard to press reports concerning the use of military bases, it is underlineld that Italy acts in full compliance with current international agreements and the guidelines set out by the government to parliament,” read a cabinet office statement.
“The government’s position is clear, consistent and has already been fully endorsed by parliament, without any changes,” the statement went on.
“There are no critical issues or tensions with international partners. Relations with the United States, in particular, are solid and marked by full and loyal cooperation,” the statement said.
The government “will continue to operate in accordance with existing treaties, in keeping with its and parliament’s will, while ensuring Italy is a reliable international partner and fully safeguarding the national interest,” said the statement.
Defence minister Guido Crosetto’s refusal to allow the US bombers to land at Sigonella airbase near Catania ‘several evenings ago’ came after he received a call from chief of defence staff Luciano Portolano, Corriere della Sera reported on Tuesday.
The Italian airforce chief of staff informed Portolano of the US bombers’ plan to land at Sigonella when the war planes were already airborne, and Portolano told the US military command that the planes could not touch down at the base because there had been no prior consultations with Italy, according to Corriere della Sera.
When the joint US-Israel war against Iran war began with airstrikes on the country in late February, premier Giorgia Meloni and Crosetto said the US could keep using airbases in Italy for normal operations, in accordance with a bilateral treaty, but any use of the bases for military missions would need to be approved by parliament.
Italy’s centre-left opposition parties have urged the government to block the US use of bases in Italy to avoid involvement in the escalating Mideast conflict.
