ROME: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here Tuesday (July 1) for a three-day working visit to the third-largest economy in the European Union (EU).
The aircraft carrying the Prime Minister landed at Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport at 8.18pm (2.18am Wednesday, July 2, Malaysia time).
On hand to welcome Anwar at the airport were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy Datuk Zahid Rastam, Italian Senior Ambassador for Protocol Affairs Fabrizio Romano and former Italian Ambassador to Malaysia Massimo Rustico.
"This visit, which comes at the invitation of my counterpart, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the long-standing bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Italy based on the principles and spirit of friendship, trust and mutual respect.
"Malaysia sees Italy as an important strategic partner in the European continent and we are committed to expanding cooperation in trade and investment, defence industry and the energy transition sector," said Anwar.
He mentioned that this visit would also strengthen the relationship between the Southeast Asian region and Europe.
During the visit, Anwar was accompanied by Mohamad, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
Also part of the delegation was Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
As soon as they arrived in the capital, Anwar and his delegation met with the Malaysian diaspora community.
On July 3, the Prime Minister was scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart at Chigi Palace.
According to Zahid, the meeting would provide an opportunity for both leaders to assess the current state of Malaysia-Italy relations and explore avenues to further strengthen cooperation.
The Prime Minister would also officiate the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable on Wednesday.
During the business engagement event, Anwar was set to meet the captains of Industry from 36 Italian firms.
Italy is the third-largest national economy in the EU and the world's eighth-largest by gross domestic product.
Anwar was also scheduled to meet leaders of the local Muslim community.
In 2024, total trade between Malaysia and Italy recorded a 2% increase, reaching RM14.61bil (USD3.18 bil) compared with 2023.
From January to May 2025, total trade grew by 3.3% year-on-year to RM6.5bil (USD1.48bil).
Italy remains Malaysia's fifth-largest trading partner and third-largest importer of Malaysian palm oil among European Union member states in 2024.
The Prime Minister would undertake an official visit to France on July 3 and 4, 2025, concluding his visit to Italy. – Bernama
