Doha: Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and his Somali counterpart, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation on defense, maritime security, capacity building, and counter-terrorism, during the latter's visit to Italy on Saturday. Both sides stressed the importance of boosting their countries' ties and enhancing efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.

According to Qatar News Agency, the meeting focused on exploring new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the realms of maritime security and counter-terrorism. The ministers emphasized the need for increased capacity building initiatives to enhance military effectiveness and ensure the safety of maritime routes.

During their discussions, the ministers also highlighted the significance of joint efforts in combating terrorism, which poses a persistent threat to regional and global peace. They agreed to work closely in sharing intelligence and conducting joint exercises to counteract these threats.

The discussions are seen as a step towards fortifying Italy-Somalia relations and contributing to broader international security efforts. Both countries expressed their commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration in these critical areas.