ISLAMABAD: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said Italy-Pakistan relations have further potential for growth, highlighting economic exchanges, development cooperation and people-to-people ties as areas where the two countries can deepen their partnership.
Meloni made the remarks in response to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s congratulatory message after her government became the longest continuously serving administration in Italy’s postwar history.
“Thank you, Prime Minister [Shehbaz Sharif], for these words and for highlighting the value of the relationship between Italy and Pakistan,” Meloni said in a post on X on Sunday.
Over these years we have strengthened a collaboration that embraces different areas: from economic exchanges to development cooperation and relations between our peoples,” she said.
“I am convinced that there is still room to grow this bond and turn it into new opportunities for our nations,” Meloni added.
Pakistan and Italy maintain broad-based ties encompassing trade, investment, development cooperation, labor mobility, education and people-to-people contacts.
The two countries have also stepped up cooperation on legal and skilled migration, with Italy describing the migration and mobility memorandum signed in 2025 as a key framework for bilateral cooperation.
The relationship has also seen continued high-level political engagement. In April, Meloni held a telephone conversation with PM Sharif during which the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.
PM Sharif, in his congratulatory message earlier this week, said Meloni’s leadership had contributed significantly to Italy’s progress and its growing stature on the world stage.
“I look forward to continuing to work with her to further strengthen Pakistan–Italy relations across multiple domains,” he said, while extending his best wishes for her continued success.
Meloni’s government reached 1,413 days in office on Friday, surpassing the previous record held by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and becoming the longest-running government in Italy’s postwar history.
Addressing a rally in Bari, Meloni hailed political stability as a major achievement of her government, saying it had served as a “shield” that allowed her administration to protect the country.
“There have been days when I felt like I was swimming in glue but I didn't give up and I don't plan to do so now,” she told supporters, as she effectively began positioning herself for next year’s election.
Meloni became Italy’s first woman prime minister in October 2022 and has remained at the helm of the same administration since then, an unusual period of continuity in a country historically marked by frequent government changes.
With additional inputs from AFP