Rome— Giorgia Meloni has announced that Italy will halt the automatic renewal of its long-standing defence cooperation agreement with Israel, citing the prevailing geopolitical situation.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Verona, Meloni said the government had decided to suspend the pact, which facilitates collaboration in military equipment, technology research, training and defence industry partnerships.
Diplomatic sources confirmed the development, noting that continuing the agreement under current circumstances would have posed significant political challenges for Rome.
The agreement, originally approved in 2006 and reviewed every five years, has served as a key framework for bilateral defence ties between the two countries. It has enabled joint research and development initiatives, as well as cooperation in information technology and military systems.
The suspension marks a notable shift in Italy’s defence and foreign policy posture, reflecting broader tensions and evolving alliances in the region.
