US embassy cable - 04ROME3642

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003642 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2014 
TAGS: PREL, IT, NATO, EUN 
SUBJECT: ITALY MOVING ON EU BATTLEGROUPS WITH AN EYE TOWARD 
"ALL-NATO" GROUPINGS 
 
 
Classified By: ACTING DCM TOM COUNTRYMAN, REASONS 1.4 B AND D. 
 
(C) A/DCM and A/PolMinCouns met September 21 with Francesco 
Trupiano, Diplomatic Advisor to the Italian Minister of 
Defense.  Trupiano informed us that Italy had just signed an 
EU battlegroup agreement with Hungary and Slovenia, and in 
October would begin discussing at the staff level the 
formation of an amphibious battlegroup with Spain, Greece and 
Portugal.  Trupiano noted that while some EU members, and one 
in particular, had initially viewed the EU battlegroups as 
fixed and separate entities, Italy was committed to avoiding 
duplication with NATO NRF structures, ensuring harmonization 
with NATO efforts and operating under Berlin Plus.  In 
addition, he pointed out, Italy was intentionally crafting 
battlegroups comprised entirely of NATO members without the 
participation of those most interested in separate EU forces. 
 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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 2004ROME03642 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL