Kennedy’s Address at NATO Headquarters in Naples

1963-07-02

Italy had become a founding member of NATO in 1949. [1] [2]

John F. Kennedy ended his European journey in Naples on 2 July 1963. At NATO’s southern headquarters, he addressed personnel serving in the Mediterranean command. [1]

In the prepared address released by the White House, Kennedy returned to the connections between democratic reform and European cooperation that he had discussed in Rome the previous evening. Governments able to secure social and economic change through debate and consent, he argued, would also work better together abroad. A stronger European partner served American interests. [1]

Kennedy also urged the alliance to maintain its defenses while examining proposals for peace, including negotiations to end nuclear testing. His assurance of continued American commitment carried a request that European governments help developing countries through assistance and access to their markets. He shortened the prepared address when he delivered it. [1]

Related Diplomats

  1. Sergio Fenoaltea [3] [4]

Sources

  1. Kennedy’s remarks at NATO headquarters, Naples

    Prepared address of July 2, 1963: first, third, fourth, and sixth propositions; editorial note states the released prepared text was shortened in delivery.

    Prepared address of July 2, 1963: first, third, fourth, and sixth propositions; editorial note states the released prepared text was shortened in delivery. Reinspected October 31, 2026.

  2. Italy and NATO

    Italy's Mediterranean position, 1948 election, political debate, and Carlo Sforza

  3. Previous Italian ambassadors
  4. Fenoaltea Sergio

Related Reading

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Kennedy’s Address at NATO Headquarters in Naples. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record 3ee864325b9731d9f30a. https://chanceries.org/research/history/italy-kennedy-92d6b7eb57/

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