Admiral Giampoaolo di Paola, Nato's most senior military officer, is in Malta for a short visit during which he is expected to meet the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He will also deliver a lecture at the University and lay a wreath on the War Memorial in Floriana.

Admiral Di Paola joined the Italian Navy in 1963 and graduated from the Naval academy in 1966. He was in command of the frigate Grecale up to 1986 when he was appointed to the Naval Staff in Rome.

He later commanded the aircraft carrier Garibaldi and in 1990 became Deputy Chief of Staff and then Chief of Naval Plans and Policy.

As Rear Admiral he was assigned to the defence staff of the Defence Ministry in 1994 and became involved in Nato planning for operations in the Balkans and Albania.

He became full Admiral and Chief of the Defence Staff in March 2004.

Admiral Di Paola was appointed chairman of the Nato Military Committee in June 2008.

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