Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed her intention to further strengthen bilateral relations with Japan.
Meloni was speaking at a news conference on Saturday, as she wrapped up the Group of Seven summit in the southern Italian region of Puglia.
She said Italy will increase its engagement in issues in the Indo-Pacific region. It was one of items high on the agenda at the summit.
She also said Italy wants to further strengthen bilateral relations with Japan, based on an action plan it has signed with Tokyo. She cited security, defense, economic security, and supply chains as initial areas for bilateral cooperation.
The Italian aircraft carrier Cavour will make its first port call in Japan this summer.
Regarding relations with China, Meloni announced a plan to visit China in the coming weeks.
Italy was the sole country among G7 that joined the China’s Belt and Road initiative, but it officially informed China last year that it is withdrawing from the initiative.
Meloni maintained China is a key player that Italy wants to continue dialogue with.