Italian government take umbrage at NATO’s appointment of Spanish diplomat

Giorgia Meloni has been publicly lobbying for an Italian to be elevated to a top job at the alliance, but seemingly to no avail.

Transcript

00:00In a letter signed by the permanent representative of Italy to NATO, the Italian government expressed

00:06doubts over the recent appointment of Javier Colomina as the special representative for

00:11the southern neighborhood, calling for a renewed approach to NATO's policies in the region.

00:17At the recent NATO summit in Washington, Giorgia Maloney highlighted the strategic importance

00:22of the southern region for the alliance, suggesting the post should be given to an Italian.

00:28Gian Giacomo Calavini from the Brothers of Italy party has been following the case closely.

00:34He says the hope is that when Mark Rutte assumes his position as NATO Secretary General, he

00:39will recognize Italy's role.

00:58Gian Giacomo Calavini from the Brothers of Italy party has been following the case closely.

01:18Both Italy's Defence Minister Corsetto and Deputy Prime Minister Tajani have shown disappointment

01:38at Stoltenberg's decision.

01:40Opposition parties say it proves Italy's credibility on the international stage is decreasing.

02:10Italy's presence in the southern flank is seen as crucial by Maloney's government to

02:29strengthen the country's migration policies and its strategic role on the African continent.