Korea and Italy agreed to upgrade their ties to a "Special Strategic Partnership." The two countries decided to expand cooperation in future industries, including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, aerospace, bio, and energy.
President Lee Jae-myung and President Sergio Mattarella stated accordingly through the "Korea-Italy joint press statement" after a summit at the presidential palace in Rome, Italy, on the 11th (local time). Lee said, "Building on the trust and bonds accumulated over the years and the values our two countries share, we will open a new chapter of cooperation toward common prosperity."
Lee said, "We will work together to make trade and investment cooperation between the two countries more mutually beneficial and to create a stable business environment for corporations," adding, "Tomorrow's 'Korea-Italy business roundtable,' attended by some 30 corporations from both countries, will be a very useful time for corporations from both sides to seek growth opportunities in various fields such as semiconductors, AI, defense, aerospace, energy, and bio." Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Cho Hyun-joon, chairman of Hyosung, are expected to attend the Korea-Italy business roundtable.
The two countries also decided to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on small and medium-sized enterprise cooperation to expand support for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, as well as an MOU on social and solidarity economy cooperation. Lee said, "It will serve as an important foundation for devising practical support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners and for revitalizing the social and solidarity economy ecosystems of both countries."
They will also move to expand cooperation in advanced industry and science and technology. The two countries agreed to institutionalize cooperation in national strategic technology fields such as AI, quantum industry, sixth-generation mobile communications, and advanced bio. With tensions in the Middle East continuing, they also agreed to cooperate on energy security and supply chain stabilization.
Lee said, "I also conveyed to President Mattarella a vision for peaceful coexistence and joint growth on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "President Mattarella spoke highly of our government's willingness for dialogue and cooperation and responded that we would work together for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."
The two countries plan to adopt the "2026-2030 Korea-Italy strategic action plan" to continue reviewing areas of cooperation. Lee added, "This visit will open a new path to shared prosperity, and we will continue deeper communication and cooperation so that the people of both countries can bring about tangible changes in their lives."