Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley, right, during a video conference with Italy's Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Enzo Vecciarelli in the Pentagon, Apr. 23, 2020. The two leaders discussed areas of mutual concern and ways to work together to combat COVID-19 to include the recently announced DoD humanitarian support authorized by the Secretary of Defense. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Chuck Burden, DoD)

April 23, 2020

WASHINGTON — Joint Staff Spokesperson Col. DeDe S. Halfhill provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley spoke with Italy's Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Enzo Vecciarelli today by phone.

The two leaders discussed areas of mutual concern and ways to work together to combat COVID-19 to include the recently announced DoD humanitarian support authorized by the Secretary of Defense. The support includes transporting non-DoD medical equipment, providing relief supplies, providing military personnel to support civilian humanitarian operations efforts, and providing telemedicine support to Italian medical facilities and medical services to non-COVID-19 Italian patients in Italy. This assistance reflects the enduring friendship and partnership between the countries.

Italy is a close NATO ally, leader for global security and stability and shares a long-standing and vital partnership with the United States. Italy plays host to more than 33,000 U.S. military, civilians and their families.

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