Rome: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim landed in Rome for a three-day working visit to Italy, the EU’s third-largest economy. The Prime Minister’s aircraft touched down at Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport at 8.18 pm local time (2.18 am Wednesday, Malaysia time).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar was received at the airport by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Malaysia’s Ambassador to Italy Datuk Zahid Rastam, Italian Senior Ambassador for Protocol Affairs Fabrizio Romano, and former Italian Ambassador to Malaysia Massimo Rustico. Anwar expressed hopes that the visit would enhance Malaysia-Italy ties and deepen strategic cooperation, aiming to elevate ASEAN-EU engagement amid a challenging global landscape.
He emphasized that the visit, at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, underscores a commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship based on friendship, trust, and mutual respect. Anwar highlighted Italy as a strategic partner in Europe and expressed Malaysia’s commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, defense, and the energy transition sector.
As ASEAN Chairman, Anwar stated that the visit would also bolster the relationship between Southeast Asia and Europe amidst complex geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges. He expressed confidence that the visit would usher in a dynamic new chapter for Malaysia-Italy relations.
During his visit, Anwar is accompanied by several key ministers, including Mohamad, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir is also part of the delegation.
Immediately upon arrival, Anwar attended a gathering with the Malaysian diaspora in Italy. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Meloni at Chigi Palace on July 3 for a bilateral meeting. Zahid noted that this meeting would allow both leaders to assess the current state of Malaysia-Italy relations and explore further cooperation, particularly in economy, defense technology, and energy sectors.
The two leaders will also discuss regional and international issues, including the ASEAN-Italy Development Partnership, ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations, and the Middle East situation. As the ASEAN Chair for 2025, Anwar is expected to highlight Malaysia’s priorities and ASEAN’s efforts in addressing regional and global challenges.
Anwar will officiate the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable on Wednesday, bringing together industry leaders from both countries to explore trade and investment collaboration. He is set to engage with industry leaders from 36 Italian firms, including Leonardo SpA, STMicroelectronics, and Ferrero.
The Prime Minister will also meet leaders of the local Muslim community during his visit. Malaysia and Italy share longstanding and multifaceted relations with strong economic ties, growing trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
In 2024, Malaysia-Italy trade increased by two percent, reaching RM14.61 billion (USD3.18 billion) compared to 2023. From January to May 2025, total trade grew by 3.3 percent year-on-year to RM6.5 billion (USD1.48 billion). Italy remains Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner and third-largest importer of Malaysian palm oil among EU member states in 2024.
Anwar will conclude his visit to Italy and proceed to France on July 3 and 4, 2025.