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Italy’s Meloni and South Korea’s Lee agree to deepen ties in Rome talks

By Thomson Reuters Jun 12, 2026 | 9:17 AM

ROME, June 12 (Reuters) – Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and South Korean President Lee ​Jae Myung on Friday ‌pledged to deepen bilateral ties, signing memorandums spanning technology and development cooperation.

• The leaders discussed closer cooperation ‌in ​semiconductors and high-tech ⁠sectors including artificial ⁠intelligence, space, automotive and energy.

• MOUs also covered small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperation in ​the social economy.

• The countries signed a strategic action ⁠plan that included ⁠an aspiration to reform ​the U.N. Security Council to ​make it more representative and effective.

• ‌The leaders also discussed international issues, reaffirming their commitment to Indo-Pacific stability and efforts ⁠to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

• Meloni and Lee are due to ⁠meet ‌business leaders later on ⁠Friday, including Samsung Electronics ​Chairman ‌Jay Y. Lee, Fincantieri ​Chairman Biagio ⁠Mazzotta and Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna.($1 = 0.8648 euros)

(Reporting by Angelo Amante in Rome and Joyce Lee in Seoul; Editing by ​Alison Williams)