Italian premier meets US vice president with focus on ‘strategic relationship’

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA)—Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with US Vice President JD Vance on Friday in Milan, focusing on their "strategic relationship."

The meeting between Meloni and Vance was also attended by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the premier's office said in a written statement.

"The meeting confirmed the solidity of the strategic relationship between Italy and the United States, which is based on their historically rooted and comprehensive partnership and the deep ties between their two peoples, as well as their shared views on the main global challenges, starting with energy security and the creation of secure and reliable supply chains for critical minerals," it said.

Meloni and Vance also discussed international issues "with particular reference to the latest developments in Iran and Venezuela."