WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Two separate meeting with French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian and Italian Minister of Defense Roberta Pinotti took place on the margins of the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in Brussels, Belgium.
"Secretary Mattis… noted his desire to consult closely with Italy on security issues of mutual concern, in particular threats emanating from the Middle East and North Africa. Both he and the minister [Pinotti] pledged to work closely in the coming months," the release stated.
On Tuesday, Mattis arrived in Europe for the first time since taking office to attend a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Belgium.
Mattis will then fly on to Germany to attend the annual Munich Security Conference from February 17 to February 19 where he will hold meetings with defense ministers with other major nations from around the world.
