Rome:National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik has engaged in discussions with Italian parliamentary leaders and senior Vatican officials during his European tour, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho met with Italian Chamber of Deputies President Lorenzo Fontana in Rome, focusing on expanding people-to-people and parliamentary exchanges, as well as boosting economic and industrial cooperation. This follows the recent elevation of relations between the two countries to a "special strategic partnership," which has spurred collaboration in future industries like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, space, and defense.
Cho extended an invitation to Fontana to visit South Korea next year during World Youth Day 2027. In a separate meeting, he discussed with Gian Marco Centinaio, vice president of the Italian Senate, ways to strengthen economic cooperation and deepen the ties between the two parliaments. He emphasized the potential for the two manufacturing powerhouses to enhance their semiconductor collaboration.
In Vatican City, Cho held talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of the Holy See, and Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik. He expressed the National Assembly's support for the 2027 youth event, highlighting the potential of World Youth Day to foster peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, a region marked by division and military tension. Cho noted that the pope's message of peace is anticipated to play a significant role in easing regional tensions.
Pope Leo XIV is set to visit South Korea next year in conjunction with World Youth Day, a significant Catholic youth event.