ROME: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at the Chigi Palace here for the official visit with Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni on Thursday (July 3).
He was greeted by the Chief of Protocol before being escorted to Meloni.
Then, the national anthems of both nations were played.
Both leaders walked along the red carpet within the courtyard of Palazzo Chigi, stopping to acknowledge their national flags, and walked past the guard of honour.
Meloni then introduced her delegation, followed by Anwar who did the same for his ministers.
Later, the two leaders met for nearly an hour.
They discussed enhancing cooperation in the field of trade, investment and defence, among other things.
“Had a productive and meaningful meeting with PM Meloni, where we reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening Malaysia–Italy relations,” Anwar said later.
He said they talked about deepening strategic collaboration across key sectors including investment, defence, sustainable energy, and advanced technologies.
“We also exchanged views on critical regional and global developments.
“As chair of Asean, I highlighted Malaysia’s role in enhancing Asean’s engagement with key international partners such as Italy and the EU,” he said.
“It was a meaningful meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni which has opened the door to more comprehensive and productive bilateral discussions on strategic investments, defence, sustainable energy, and the development of high-tech industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence,” he said.
"I welcome the investments by leading Italian companies such as Leonardo, Fincantieri, and ENI in Malaysia, and welcome the participation of Italian companies in our Special Economic Zones, as well as the implementation of industry training programmes which focuses on sharing of expertise and technology transfer,” he added.
Anwar’s Malaysian delegation comprised Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Investment, Trade Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz as well as Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy Datuk Zahid Rastam.
Also present were Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Diplomatic Advisor Fabrizio Saggio.
