This new, more effective military must be employed carefully, on the basis of our strategic priorities. Italy is a country with an exceptionally rich experience and great abilities that have allowed it to work hard and well at international level. Moreover, our geopolitical position, at the centre of the Mediterranean basin, offers many opportunities, but also unavoidable obligations. Italy is able and willing to cover a recognized position of responsibility in its area of interest and, according to its means and resources and in harmony with the International Community, to contribute to peace-establishment and regional development. In this perspective, the Defence will put its multiple abilities at the service of the Country, in order to understand, prevent, tackle and solve crises, and to develop a network of relationships able to foster the stabilization process in the Mediterranean area. As an asset of the country, the Armed Forces are and will always be at the service of the community, when performing both their institutional and support tasks, tackling all kinds of emergency situations. Together with the priority lines of action illustrated above, we must also provide new policies aimed at supporting innovation and scientific and technological research. An effective security and defence policy, in fact, must maintain appropriate technological and industrial capabilities, able to meet at least part of our requirements. To achieve this objective, close cooperation between the Defence and industry, as well as universities and research centres, will be the keystone of future action, hopefully also in view of the European integration process. The establishment of a virtuous relationship between the conversion of military requirements into specific technologies and products and the final users will strengthen the competitiveness of the “national system” ensuring jobs, technological innovation and industrial development that will benefit the whole community. Our future Armed Forces will therefore have to be young, well trained, motivated and appropriately remunerated. Our military, our defence professionals, will ensure the country the best possible defence framework, implementing their tasks by using modern tools within a functional and essential operational structure, working effectively, with a spirit of sacrifice. As citizens who, to comply with the oath they took when they joined the Armed Forces, cope with a difficult life, sacrificing their affections and their rights, our men and women in uniform, as well as their families, will never lack respect, support and a fair - 10 -