The Italian defense minister accused Gen. NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg that he betrayed Rome by not appointing an Italian as the new envoy of the Alliance to coordinate NATO's actions on the southern flank, reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
The position was created earlier this month at the request of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her government said at the time that it believed an Italian should get the job.
NATO has not yet announced who will get the role, but Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told La Stampa newspaper over the weekend that Stoltenberg has nominated a Spaniard, adding , that he considers the decision to be "almost a personal insult".
Asked about Crozeteau's criticism, NATO's press office said: "NATO will announce any appointment in due course". He declined further comment on the minister's criticism.
Crozeto said he wrote "a very angry message" of Stoltenberg. "He pissed me off and there will be personal consequences," he said in a highly unusual outburst by a NATO member against the head of the military alliance.
"It was a betrayal of principle. It was Italy that fought to create the role of envoy for the southern front," Crosetto said, adding that Stoltenberg disagreed with the decision to create the new role and punished Italy accordingly.
Last month, NATO selected former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to take over on October 1 from Norway's Stoltenberg, who is stepping down after a decade in office.
Asked if he expected the role to go to Italy after Stoltenberg's departure, Crosetto said he hoped it would go to "the best man".