Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ROME3642
2004-09-21 15:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY MOVING ON EU BATTLEGROUPS WITH AN EYE TOWARD
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 211548Z Sep 04
C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003642
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2014
TAGS: PREL IT NATO EUN
SUBJECT: ITALY MOVING ON EU BATTLEGROUPS WITH AN EYE TOWARD
"ALL-NATO" GROUPINGS
Classified By: ACTING DCM TOM COUNTRYMAN, REASONS 1.4 B AND D.
(C) A/DCM and A/PolMinCouns met September 21 with Francesco
Trupiano, Diplomatic Advisor to the Italian Minister of
Defense. Trupiano informed us that Italy had just signed an
EU battlegroup agreement with Hungary and Slovenia, and in
October would begin discussing at the staff level the
formation of an amphibious battlegroup with Spain, Greece and
Portugal. Trupiano noted that while some EU members, and one
in particular, had initially viewed the EU battlegroups as
fixed and separate entities, Italy was committed to avoiding
duplication with NATO NRF structures, ensuring harmonization
with NATO efforts and operating under Berlin Plus. In
addition, he pointed out, Italy was intentionally crafting
battlegroups comprised entirely of NATO members without the
participation of those most interested in separate EU forces.
SEMBLER
NNNN
2004ROME03642 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2014
TAGS: PREL IT NATO EUN
SUBJECT: ITALY MOVING ON EU BATTLEGROUPS WITH AN EYE TOWARD
"ALL-NATO" GROUPINGS
Classified By: ACTING DCM TOM COUNTRYMAN, REASONS 1.4 B AND D.
(C) A/DCM and A/PolMinCouns met September 21 with Francesco
Trupiano, Diplomatic Advisor to the Italian Minister of
Defense. Trupiano informed us that Italy had just signed an
EU battlegroup agreement with Hungary and Slovenia, and in
October would begin discussing at the staff level the
formation of an amphibious battlegroup with Spain, Greece and
Portugal. Trupiano noted that while some EU members, and one
in particular, had initially viewed the EU battlegroups as
fixed and separate entities, Italy was committed to avoiding
duplication with NATO NRF structures, ensuring harmonization
with NATO efforts and operating under Berlin Plus. In
addition, he pointed out, Italy was intentionally crafting
battlegroups comprised entirely of NATO members without the
participation of those most interested in separate EU forces.
SEMBLER
NNNN
2004ROME03642 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL