Kuwait and Italy formalized new agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in investment, defense, and military-industrial development during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s official visit to Kuwait on Friday. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and was part of broader talks involving senior leaders from both countries.
The two governments signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and a letter of intent designed to strengthen bilateral ties. The first MoU, between Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and the Italian Trade Agency, seeks to promote direct investments between the two nations. It was signed by KDIPA Director General Sheikh Dr Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Italian Trade Agency President Matteo Zoppas.
The letter of intent, signed by Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense and Italian defense contractor Leonardo, focuses on advancing defense capabilities and industrial collaboration. Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense was represented by Undersecretary Sheikh Dr Abdullah Meshal Mubarak Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, while Leonardo’s CEO and General Manager Lorenzo Mariani signed on behalf of the company.
The second MoU pertains to military cooperation, specifically in advisory services and training, between the Kuwait National Guard and Italy’s Carabinieri, a military police force under the Italian Ministry of Defense. Kuwait National Guard Undersecretary Lieutenant General Hamad Salem Al-Barjas and Italian Ambassador to Kuwait Lorenzo Morini, representing the Carabinieri, initialed the agreement.
Earlier in the day, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Meloni at Bayan Palace. The meeting, attended by key Kuwaiti officials including Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, reviewed the longstanding relations between Kuwait and Italy, with an emphasis on expanding bilateral cooperation in economic and defense sectors. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual concern.
Other senior officials present included Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and KDIPA Director General Sheikh Dr Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
On Friday evening, His Highness the Amir hosted a dinner banquet in honor of Meloni and her delegation. Following the conclusion of her official visit, Meloni and her delegation departed Kuwait, with senior officials including the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister seeing them off at the airport.