Rome [Italy], April 15: Italy has suspended a defence cooperation agreement with Israel, Italian news agency ANSA reported on Tuesday.
"In view of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel," ANSA quoted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as saying at an event in Verona.
The agreement set out a framework for defence sector cooperation, according to the news agency. Meloni and her right-wing government are among Israel's closest allies in Europe. Recently, however, Rome has stepped up its criticism of Israel's military activities in Lebanon.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani recently visited Lebanon and met President Joseph Aoun. He said he was there to express "Italy's solidarity after Israel's unacceptable attacks on the civilian population." There was initially no official information on the possible impact of suspending the memorandum of understanding. However, the Israeli news portal ynet cited security sources as saying the agreement was of little substance and the decision therefore had no practical significance.
Source: Qatar Tribune
