General Mohamed Zaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production, met last week with Mr. Guido Crosetto, the Republic of Italy’s Minister of Defense, and his accompanying delegation (photo).

An official reception ceremony was held at the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Defense headquarters. Military music played the national anthem of both countries.

The meeting covered the most recent changes on the regional and international arenas, as well as a number of issues of common interest were discussed in light of the areas of military cooperation and the transfer and exchange of experiences between the Armed Forces of both sides, the Egyptian Ministry of Defense reported.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces expressed his pride in the extended historical relations with the Republic of Italy in various fields and the joint coordination between the two countries. He also referred to the consensus of visions to support security and stability efforts in the region.

For his part, the Republic of Italy’s Minister of Defense affirmed his country’s keenness to support prospects for military cooperation with Egypt during the next stage and its deep appreciation for the efforts of the Egyptian Armed Forces in all fields.

The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Osama Askar, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chief of the Defense Staff of the Republic of Italy’s Armed Forces, the Italian Ambassador in Cairo and a number of Commanders of the Egyptian and Italian Armed Forces.

For his part, the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces also met Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chief of the Defense Staff of the Italian Armed Forces, and his accompanying delegation.

The two sides held a session of talks that covered bilateral military relations and means of enhancing prospects for cooperation, coordination and supporting the efforts exerted at various levels in order to achieve the common interests of both friendly countries.

The meeting was attended by a number of Commanders of the Egyptian and Italian Armed Forces. (Source & Photo © Egyptian Ministry of Defense)