United States Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo arrived in Italy Tuesday for wide-ranging
discussions with Italian officials.
According to diplomatic sources, bilateral ties, NATO, trade
tariffs and the situation in conflict-torn Libya will be high on
the agenda of the talks between Italy's top officials and the
first Italian-American secretary of state.
Pompeo met with President Sergio Mattarella in the presence
of Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, at the presidential Quirinal
palace, on Tuesday afternoon.
He then went on to talks with Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte
at the premier's office.
The recent wave of US trade tariffs was said to be among the
main talking points, as well as Libya where Italy has been
backing the national unity government in its struggle with
eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar.
Pompeo gave no press conferences Tuesday but will address one
after one-to-one talks with Di Maio on Wednesday.
He will also speak to the press after meeting Pope Francis on
Thursday before heading off to view his ancestral home in the
mountainous Abruzzo region.
During the October 1-6 trip to Europe, he will go to
Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Greece too.
The US State Department said Tuesday on Pompeo's trip that
"Italy is a key NATO Ally, a leader and guarantor of security in
the international community, and a reliable partner".
It said "Italy plays a crucial role in guaranteeing
Transatlantic security, particularly in assuring NATO's southern
flank through its presence in Libya and around the world, in
Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, and Afghanistan".
The department recalled that President Donald Trump and Prime
Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the U.S.-Italy Strategic
Dialogue in July 2018 to address threats to security and
stabilization in the Mediterranean region.
It said that "the United States looks forward to continuing
the excellent cooperation between our two countries with the new
Government of Italy, both as NATO Allies and long-standing
economic partners."
It said Pompeo would meet Italian officials "to discuss the
importance of Transatlantic unity and our strong and enduring
bilateral relationship."
It also said that "today's global challenges underscore the
importance of increased and sustained defense investment.
"We must have the capabilities and the readiness to deploy
forces in a timely fashion to be prepared for the threats the
Alliance faces, including those from the South. Modern
capabilities and ready forces present a strong deterrent
posture."
The department also stressed: "Throughout our history,
Italian-Americans have enriched the fabric of every aspect of
American life."
"More than 20 million Americans proudly claim Italian
heritage - including the Secretary. Secretary Pompeo is the
first Italian-American Secretary of State. His family is from
the central, mountainous region of Abruzzo, which he will visit
on this trip".
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