European defence push strengthens NATO says Mattarella

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 28 - A European defence push strengthens NATO, President Sergio Mattarella said at a meeting with the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, in Rome on Friday.
    The war in Ukraine, strategic autonomy, migrants and EU enlargement were the topics discussed by the two presidents, Quirinale sources said.
    On the war in Ukraine, Mattarella recalled Italy's support, emphasising the country's participation in the NATO battalions that garrison the Atlantic Alliance's borders and the need to preserve the value of the unity with which the European Union has moved: the push for European defence is not an alternative but serves to strengthen the Atlantic Alliance, the president emphasised, among other things.
    Mattarella also said he was satisfied with EU plans to tackle migrant issues. (ANSA).