KUALA LUMPUR: A bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Italian counterpart is among the highlights of his upcoming first trip to the European nation.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a working visit to the Republic of Italy from July 1 to 3, 2025. This visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marks the Prime Minister’s first visit to Italy.

“On July 3, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Chigi Palace.

“The meeting will provide an opportunity for both leaders to take stock of the current state of Malaysia-Italy relations and explore avenues to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, defence technology, and energy.

“The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the Asean-Italy Development Partnership, Asean-European Union Dialogue Relations, and the situation in the Middle East,” Wisma Putra said in a statement on Monday (June 30).

It added that the Prime Minister will highlight Malaysia’s priorities and Asean’s efforts in addressing regional and global challenges.

“The Prime Minister will also officiate the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable on July 2, 2025, which will bring together Malaysian and Italian industry leaders to explore trade and investment collaboration.

“He is also scheduled to meet leaders of the local Muslim community and engage with members of the Malaysian diaspora in Italy. Malaysia and Italy enjoy longstanding and multifaceted relations, underpinned by strong economic ties, growing trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges,” it said.

The entourage to Italy will also include Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister’s Office said that the Prime Minister will embark on a week-long tour from July 1 to 7 covering three major economic hubs, namely Italy, France, and Brazil, to bolster economic, trade, and strategic ties.