Kuwait and Rome: Expanding horizons for economic and defense cooperation

His Highness Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her accompanying delegation, in the presence of His Highness Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, on the occasion of her official visit to the country. During the meeting, the strong bilateral relations between Kuwait and the Italian Republic, characterized by continuous development across various fields, were reviewed, alongside discussions on ways to enhance, develop, and expand bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic and defense sectors, to serve their mutual interests. The parties also discussed several issues of common interest and the latest developments on the regional and international fronts.

Attending the meeting were Minister of the Diwan Amiri Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jara Al-Jarrah, Director of the Amir’s Office Retired Major General Jamal Al-Diyab, Deputy Minister of the Diwan Amiri Sheikh Abdulaziz Meshal Al-Mubarak, Director General of the Direct Investment Promotion Authority Sheikh Dr. Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister of the Diwan Amiri Mazen Al-Eisa, Managing Member of the Public Authority for Investment Sheikh Saud Salem Abdulaziz, and Kuwait’s Ambassador to the Italian Republic Nasser Al-Qahtani.

His Highness Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad hosted a dinner in honor of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her official delegation, marking her official visit. In the presence of His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Kuwait and the Italian Republic signed memoranda of understanding and a letter of intent in the fields of promoting direct investment, defense, and military-industrial cooperation.

The first memorandum of understanding concerned cooperation in promoting direct investment between Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority and the Italian Trade Agency. It was signed on behalf of the Kuwaiti government by Director General of the Direct Investment Promotion Authority Sheikh Dr. Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad, and on behalf of the Italian Trade Agency by its President, Matteo Zubias.

The letter of intent between Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense and Leonardo S.p.A. focused on developing defense capabilities and industrial cooperation. It was signed on behalf of the Kuwaiti government by Deputy Minister of Defense Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al-Mushallakh, and on behalf of Leonardo by its CEO and Managing Director, Lorenzo Mariani.

The second memorandum of understanding pertained to military cooperation in advisory and training fields between the Kuwait National Guard and the Italian Carabinieri (under the Italian Ministry of Defense). Initialled on behalf of the Kuwait National Guard by its Deputy Commander, Retired Major General Hamad Al-Burjess, and on behalf of the Italian Carabinieri by Italy’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Lorenzo Morini.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her accompanying delegation departed the country following their official visit. They were seen off at the airport by His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jara Al-Jarrah, Acting Head of the Prime Minister’s Diwan Sheikh Khaled Mohammed Al-Khaled, and Kuwait’s Ambassador to the Italian Republic Nasser Al-Qahtani.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her delegation had arrived in the country for an official visit.

Among those welcoming them at the airport were His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah; the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Shari’ah Al-Muwasharji; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Jara Al-Jaber; the Acting Head of the Prime Minister’s Diwan, Sheikh Khaled Mohammed Al-Khaled; and Kuwait’s Ambassador to the Italian Republic, Nasser Al-Qahtani.