Cooperation with Kuwaiti navy important for peace -- Italian official

By Ahmad Al-Hamily

KUWAIT, Feb 28 (KUNA) -- Cooperation with regional navies, namely the Kuwaiti navy, is the key factor in maintaining stability in the Middle East region, said Chief of Staff for the Italian Navy Admiral Paolo Las Rosa on Thursday.

Speaking to KUNA on board the Italian Navy vessel "Commandante Borsini" docked at Shuwaikh Port, Admiral La Rosa affirmed that relations between the navies of both states have been very strong since the 1980s, adding that the Italian navy was here in 2003 during the war on Iraq supporting about 3,000 Italian troops stationed there.

He indicated that the Kuwaiti navy had been very supportive during 2003, adding that the Kuwaiti-Italian navies had exchanged ideas and procedures to reinforce bilateral cooperation.

Admiral La Rosa stated that he had the opportunity to meet First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, discussing means to bolster relations in addition to recent development in the region and international levels.

"Kuwait was among the first countries to sign NATO's Istanbul Cooperative Initiative (ICI) for peace and stability," revealed the Italian naval official.

On previous cooperation, Admiral Paolo La Rosa said that a number of Kuwaiti navy officials were invited on board one of the Italian naval ships in the past to witness the vessels operation.

"We are building future cooperation through inviting Kuwaiti navy personnel to study at Italian naval academies," indicated the Italian official who pointed out that four Kuwaiti naval officers were studying in Italy at present.

The current visit of both Italian naval ships would focus on building relations with other regional fleets in order to set plans for the future, concluded Admiral La Rosa.

The two Italian vessels, "Enta" and "Comandante Borsini" arrived here on February 27, and would be staying in Kuwait till March 1.

The vessels are heading next to Dubai (UAE) and then Mumbai (India) before returning to Italy in June.