Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Italy have agreed to expedite and finalise the cooperation between Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and the Italian energy company Eni S.p.A (ENI), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced. This agreement was reached following a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Anwar shared on the X platform that Malaysia is prepared to welcome Prime Minister Meloni on an official visit to Kuala Lumpur early next year to finalise the strategic agreement. During their conversation, Meloni explained her absence from the 47th ASEAN Summit, citing urgent matters in Rome related to budget law drafting and discussions within the European Union.

Anwar acknowledged Italy’s current domestic priorities and expressed appreciation for the country’s ongoing support for global peace, justice, and humanitarian efforts in Gaza. He emphasized that the relationship between Malaysia and Italy is poised to strengthen further, benefiting the citizens of both nations.