Today, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Inspector of the Polish Navy Rear Adm. Jarosław Ziemianski in Venice, Italy, at the Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium.

The two leaders discussed defense and maritime security, interoperability, and their shared commitment to the security of NATO. They talked about ballistic missile defense and today’s current threats and challenges.

Gilday highlighted that countering ballistic missiles is a security challenge requiring collective defense. He thanked Ziemianski for support with the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Ashore site in Poland, and also thanked the Polish navy for their continued contributions to NATO’s missile defense.

Gilday reaffirmed the U.S. Navy’s commitment to trans-regional unity and to sustaining strong relationships with our Allies and partners.