Italian Ambassador: Meloni's Visit to Kuwait a Key Milestone in Bilateral Relations and Step Toward Strategic Partnership

- A technical delegation from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior visited Italy to explore areas of combating organized crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. Italy is ready to enhance military cooperation as requested by Kuwait.

Lorenzo Morini, the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the State of Kuwait, affirmed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Kuwait represents a significant milestone in the trajectory of bilateral relations and a step toward establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries. He noted that both sides adopted an action plan extending to 2030, encompassing a range of initiatives to enhance cooperation in political, defense, economic, security, and social fields.

Morini, in a statement to the press during a press conference hosted by the Italian Embassy yesterday morning, said Italy was pleased that Meloni’s visit, originally scheduled for April, had finally taken place, despite regional circumstances that had previously prevented it. He clarified that the Prime Minister was received upon her arrival by the Prime Minister, His Highness, before proceeding to Bayan Palace, where she was received by His Highness the Amir, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, and several ministers and officials.

Highlighting the strength of relations, he added that the meetings reflected the robust ties between the two countries, underpinned by continuous communication between their leaderships throughout last year, particularly in recent months. He pointed out that these communications included side meetings at international conferences, alongside reciprocal visits by ministers and officials from both countries, including ministers of foreign affairs, defense, and interior.

He further explained that Meloni’s visit saw the signing of two agreements, in addition to the adoption of a joint action plan serving as a roadmap to strengthen the Italian-Kuwaiti partnership in the coming years up to 2030. He specified that the plan covers several key areas, foremost among them political dialogue, defense and security, technical cooperation, economic cooperation and investments, as well as sectors such as electricity, digital transformation, food industries, public security, judicial cooperation, creative industries, health, and education.

He affirmed that the coming phase will see the implementation of the initiatives outlined in the plan, noting that the agreement between the leaderships of the two countries places on the shoulders of ambassadors, officials, and experts the task of defining practical mechanisms to achieve the agreed-upon objectives and transform them into concrete projects and initiatives.

Fuel Prices

He clarified that the rise in fuel prices in Europe directly affects transportation costs and the distribution of goods and foodstuffs, pointing out that increased truck operating costs could impact the availability of products in markets and their prices, making cooperation in this area of significant economic importance.

Enhancing Security and Defense Cooperation

Regarding developments in the regional situation, Morini affirmed that what the region is witnessing has a major impact on Italy and Europe, stressing that Kuwait’s security and stability constitute a fundamental pillar for Italy’s security, stability, and prosperity. He stated that Kuwait’s security is Italy’s security, and that the region’s stability is linked to Europe’s stability, reaffirming his country’s readiness to support Kuwait and its partners in the region, and to participate in any initiatives that contribute to achieving stability, while emphasizing that addressing regional challenges is a responsibility requiring broad cooperation among the parties concerned.

He added that both sides discussed enhancing security and defense cooperation, based on their status as partners working together for the security of Kuwait and the region, clarifying that Italy is ready to expand its cooperation according to Kuwaiti needs and programs agreed upon by both parties.

Economic Cooperation

In economic matters, Morini explained that the agreement signed between the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and its Italian counterpart, the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), aims to enhance direct investments and expand cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries. He noted that the agreement seeks to encourage Italian companies to invest in Kuwait, and Kuwaiti companies to invest in Italy, in addition to increasing investment flows, developing joint promotional initiatives, and identifying sectors where both sides can work together.

Exchange of Expertise

In the context of security cooperation, Morini clarified that a technical delegation from the Kuwaiti Ministry of the Interior visited Italy to explore areas of potential cooperation, in line with the joint action plan, including combating transnational organized crime, smuggling, and trafficking in drugs and human beings, as well as exchanging expertise in the management of correctional institutions and prisons. He pointed out that both sides discussed how to deal with foreign prisoners and members of international criminal organizations, develop prison management methods, enhance security procedures and staff training, and benefit from technical expertise in the design and operation of correctional facilities.

He added that customs represent a fundamental element in combating smuggling and illicit trafficking, whether across land borders, ports, or airports, emphasizing the importance of leveraging modern technologies to detect smuggled goods and strengthen border control.

Morini also touched upon cooperation in civil protection and crisis management, explaining that this sector goes beyond direct military response to include coordinating efforts among security agencies, civil institutions, health services, and electricity, water, and food sectors, ensuring the needs of the population are met during crises and natural disasters. He noted that Italy possesses experience in dealing with natural disasters, including floods and volcanic eruptions, highlighting the importance of coordination between military and civil institutions in crisis management and providing essential services to those affected.

Protests

In response to a question about how Italy is handling popular protests amid the difficult economic conditions facing Europe, Morine stated that protests differ in nature, clarifying that the peaceful expression of dissent and demands is a guaranteed right under the law and constitutes an essential component of the democratic system. He added that problems arise when protests are accompanied by acts of violence, property damage, or assaults on police officers. He noted that Italian authorities have, according to him, identified cases in which young people, some under the age of 18, were exploited through misleading information and instructions disseminated via social media, bloggers, and influencers. Morine concluded by emphasizing that the visit of the Italian Prime Minister marks the beginning of a new phase of joint work, and that implementing the approved action plan will enable the expansion of political, economic, security, and defense cooperation, thereby strengthening the partnership between Kuwait and Italy in the coming years.