Warm welcome: Anwar meeting Meloni during the official reception ceremony by the Italian government in Rome. — Photo courtesy of the Prime Minister’s Office
ROME: Enhanced cooperation in the field of trade, investment and defence were among the topics discussed when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for an hour at Chigi Palace following his official visit to Italy.
“Had a productive and meaningful meeting with PM Meloni where we reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening Malaysia-Italy relations,” Anwar said following the meeting, where they talked about deepening strategic collaboration across key sectors.
“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 European Union,” he said in a press conference yesterday.
“It was a meaningful meeting with PM 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.
“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 focus 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, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and 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.
