Korea-Italy Summit, Joint Press Statement
First Visit by a European Leader Since Administration Launch... First Italian Prime Minister in 19 Years
President Lee: "Revitalizing the Korea-Italy Business Forum"
MOUs Signed on Semiconductors, Citizen Protection, and Cultural Heritage
Cooperation for Easing Tensions on the Korean Peninsula and Safeguarding Global Peace
On January 19, President Lee Jaemyung held a summit meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Blue House, where they agreed to strengthen partnerships in advanced industries and advanced manufacturing, including artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace, semiconductors, and critical raw materials. In particular, through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on semiconductor industry cooperation, both sides agreed to continuously expand private sector cooperation in the semiconductor field and to promote increased trade and investment. On this day, the two countries signed three MOUs covering semiconductor industry cooperation, citizen protection, and the protection of cultural heritage and landscapes. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the realization of permanent peace and stability.
After concluding their summit meeting in the morning, the two leaders issued a joint press statement outlining these agreements. The summit included a welcoming ceremony, signing of the guest book, commemorative photo session, small-group talks, expanded talks, a signing ceremony for bilateral cooperation MOUs, and finally, the announcement of the joint press statement. Prime Minister Meloni visited Korea for three days from January 17 to 19 at the invitation of President Lee. This marks the first visit by a European leader since the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration and the first foreign guest to visit the Blue House since its reopening. It is also the first time in 19 years that an Italian prime minister has visited Korea for a bilateral summit.
President Lee stated, "We have agreed to further develop our bilateral relationship to a future-oriented level befitting the title of strategic partners," adding, "Cooperation in the field of trade will be further expanded to a level commensurate with the economic scale and brand power of both countries." President Lee continued, "We agreed to revitalize the Korea-Italy Business Forum, in which companies from both countries participate, as a platform for creating new opportunities and as a channel for addressing business challenges." He also emphasized plans to promote cooperation in fostering and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), leveraging Italy's well-developed SME ecosystem.
The two countries plan to strengthen their partnership in economic, trade, and investment areas related to advanced manufacturing and high-tech sectors. On September 5 last year, Korea and Italy jointly hosted the Korea-Italy Business Forum in Seoul, focusing on four key areas: advanced industries (AI and industrial automation), energy transition and circular economy, infrastructure and transportation (aerospace and automotive), and the bioindustry.
President Lee said, "Cooperation in the field of science, which determines the future of a nation, will be further expanded," and added, "We will continue to discover talented researchers by supporting joint research in basic and applied fields, and further broaden the scope of cooperation into advanced industries such as AI and aerospace." He also stated, "In the defense sector, we will pursue mutually complementary cooperation based on each country's strengths." In particular, the two leaders agreed to continuously expand private sector cooperation in the semiconductor field based on the industrial cooperation MOU signed between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (currently the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) and the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy on November 9, 2023, as well as the semiconductor cooperation MOU signed during this summit.
They also agreed to further increase cooperation in cultural and people-to-people exchanges. President Lee said, "Around one million Koreans visit Italy each year, and recently, due to the influence of K-culture, the number of Italian students and tourists visiting Korea has also noticeably increased." He explained, "Prime Minister Meloni and I agreed to make detailed efforts to ensure that Korean citizens can travel more conveniently and safely in Italy, including expanding Korean-language audio guides at major tourist attractions." The two countries also agreed to promote friendship between their peoples through cultural exchanges in various fields such as exhibitions, performances, and films.
President Lee specifically noted, "Next month, the Winter Olympics will be held in Milan and Cortina in northern Italy," and added, "I asked Prime Minister Meloni to pay special attention to the safety of our athletes and citizens visiting Italy during the Winter Olympics. I am especially grateful for her promise to personally visit the Korean athletes' village."
The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. President Lee stated, "Korea and Italy are friendly countries that share values on the international stage and jointly respond to global challenges," adding, "We will work together to safeguard the value of global peace, going beyond easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula."
On the occasion of this summit, the two countries signed a total of three MOUs: ▲Cooperation on Citizen Protection (Ministry of the Interior and Safety - Department of Civil Protection), ▲Protection of Cultural Heritage and Landscapes (Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration - Italian Ambassador to Korea), and ▲Semiconductor Industry Cooperation (Korea Semiconductor Industry Association - Italian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association). Through the Citizen Protection Cooperation MOU, the two countries plan to exchange information and experts in disaster management and citizen protection, as well as develop strategies and methodologies for risk reduction. The MOU on the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Landscapes will facilitate cooperation in the preservation, conservation, and protection of cultural heritage and landscapes, as well as policy integration and coordination in the management of these assets. In addition, based on the Semiconductor Industry Cooperation MOU, the two countries will promote business cooperation and information sharing in the semiconductor field and work together to strengthen the semiconductor supply chain.
President Lee stated, "The two countries have signed memorandums of understanding on disaster prevention and management, the protection and preservation of cultural heritage, and cooperation in the semiconductor field." He added, "I expect that the achievements of this summit will further broaden the scope of cooperation between our countries and lead to more active exchanges of people in various fields." He continued, "My philosophy of governance, which is characterized by pragmatism, and Prime Minister Meloni's spirit of reform both place great importance on the well-being and growth of our peoples. Therefore, we will make every effort to ensure that our cooperation enriches the daily lives of our citizens through follow-up measures."
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