President Lee Jae-myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a summit meeting in Rome, Italy, on the 12th (local time) and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of science, technology and innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology and space technology. They presented advanced industries as a new pillar of cooperation in Korea-Italy relations, which have been upgraded to a “special strategic partnership” in this area. On the occasion of the summit, the two countries signed four memorandums of understanding (MOUs), including the Korea-Italy development cooperation MOU to launch joint development projects in Africa, and adopted a document titled the “2026-2030 Korea-Italy Strategic Action Plan.”

● Presidential Office: “Korea and Italy lay foundation for joint development in Africa”

The summit proceeded at the Chigi Palace in Rome in the following order: welcoming ceremony, small-group talks, expanded working luncheon, and MOU exchange ceremony. The official talks between President Lee and Prime Minister Meloni were their third, following meetings at the UN General Assembly in September last year and during Prime Minister Meloni’s official visit to Korea in January this year. Prime Minister Meloni, Italy’s first female prime minister in its constitutional history, was also the first European leader to visit Korea since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration.

On the same day, the two countries signed a Korea-Italy development cooperation MOU to promote pilot projects in Africa in areas such as coffee and other agricultural and rural development, and digital and educational training. The target countries are Egypt, Uganda, Ethiopia and Côte d’Ivoire. The Presidential Office stated, “This lays the foundation for contributing to the realization of a mutually beneficial partnership pursued by Italy’s core Africa policy, the ‘Mattei Plan,’ and for creating joint development outcomes by the two countries in the African region.”

The Mattei Plan is the Italian government’s Africa development and energy cooperation initiative that aims to build Africa into Europe’s new energy supply hub. With the signing of the MOU, the South Korean government’s strategy to strengthen economic cooperation with Africa, a key supplier of critical minerals, and to diversify energy supply chains is also expected to generate synergy. The strategic action plan adopted that day also includes a provision stating that “the private sectors of the two countries will be enabled to secure joint opportunities in third-country markets, including Africa.”

In addition, a Korea-Italy MOU on cooperation in advanced science and technology and information and communication technology (ICT) was signed. The Presidential Office said, “By expanding traditional science and technology cooperation into the digital and advanced technology sectors, this will strengthen the foundation for cooperation in future growth engines for both countries.” An MOU on the social and solidarity economy between Korea and Italy, and an MOU on cooperation in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners were also signed. In a joint press statement the previous day, President Lee said, “This will serve as a very important foundation for devising practical support measures for SMEs and small business owners and for revitalizing the social and solidarity economy ecosystems of both countries.”

President Lee attended the “Korea-Italy Business Roundtable” on the afternoon of the same day. The event was attended by Ryu Jin, chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF), Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-eun, Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon, and Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon, among others. In his keynote remarks, President Lee emphasized the importance of bilateral economic cooperation amid an international order where uncertainty has increased due to the AI revolution and the reorganization of supply chains.



● President Lee receives Italy’s highest-grade decoration

President Lee attended a state banquet hosted by President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace in Rome on the afternoon of the 11th (local time). In his banquet speech, President Lee said, “In his New Year’s address last year, President Mattarella said, ‘Peace is not granted automatically but is the result of courageous choices and actions,’” adding, “Having overcome the scars of war to achieve development, Korea and Italy understand better than anyone the value of peace and cooperation.” He continued, “Based on our shared values and perceptions, I hope that our two countries will work even more closely together for the peace and prosperity of the international community in the future.” President Lee proposed a toast in Italian, saying, “Alla nostra amicizia (to our friendship).”

At the banquet, President Lee received the “Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” from President Mattarella. The Presidential Office explained, “This is the highest-grade decoration conferred on foreign heads of state,” and noted, “It is the first decoration President Lee has received from a foreign government since taking office.” Previous recipients include King Charles III of the United Kingdom and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

During the state banquet, President Lee and President Mattarella, as well as Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Ferrari Chairman John Elkann, were also seen engaging in conversation together.

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