Photo: Zuzana Bönisch

President Petr Pavel and his wife, Eva Pavlová, will undertake a working visit to the Italian Republic from November 27th to 29th, 2023.

On Tuesday, November 28th, 2023, in the morning, President Petr Pavel and his wife, Eva Pavlová, first visited the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Rome and the Vatican, where they met with honorary consuls of the Czech Republic in the Italian Republic, representatives of the Czech community, and embassy staff. The official start of the visit took place at the Quirinal Palace, the President's official residence, with a meeting between President Petr Pavel and the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella. The presidents discussed the excellent relations and economic cooperation between their countries. They also addressed the expansion of the European Union and emphasized the need for economic and political stability in the Balkans. The situation in Ukraine was also a topic of discussion.

In the afternoon, President of the Republic Petr Pavel attended a memorial ceremony at the monument to Victor Emmanuel II, the Altare della Patria, and met with Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic. The topics discussed included cooperation in energy, mutual support within the EU, cooperation in the defense industry and science, as well as artificial intelligence and its regulation.

In the evening, as part of a visit to the NATO Defense College, President Petr Pavel delivered a lecture to students.

The President's wife, Eva Pavlová, as part of a separate program, visited a rehabilitation center and the Vojta school.

Statement by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel

"I will summarize this very quickly. Not only is Italy a significant partner of ours, both in terms of trade and politics within the European Union and NATO, but it is also a country with which we have been finding more and more common ground in recent months and years. This applies to all the main problems we are facing, which Europe is also addressing, such as security, energy security, and independence from Russian sources. It also includes greater economic cooperation and addressing the consequences of migration. These are all things we are working on together. Furthermore, the reason for the visit to Italy is that our cooperation has enormous potential for further growth. This is not the case with all countries. Here, good will is combined with opportunities. We discussed this with both the President and the Prime Minister. It involves expanding cooperation in all those promising areas. In addition to energy and defense, which I mentioned, there is also aviation, space research, transport infrastructure, but also cooperation in education, science, and research. I must say that I was very pleased with the welcoming attitude on the Italian side, and that is reflected in the composition of our entire delegation. We have worked hard to ensure that our industry, our science, and our universities are represented at the highest possible level. Tomorrow, we will have a Czech-Italian business forum in Milan. I believe that we will be able to move our mutual cooperation forward significantly, because all the conditions for that are in place. And what is positive for the Czech Republic is that we can not only benefit from this cooperation, but we also have a lot to offer. The Italian side is aware of this, and that is why they are looking forward to this cooperation and are preparing for it."

Petr Pavel, President of the Republic, Rome, November 28, 2023

Program of the working visit of the President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, and Eva Pavlová to the Italian Republic

November 27 - 29, 2023

(Program subject to change)

Selection of program activities:

Day 1 - Monday, November 27, 2023

In the evening, arrival at the airport in Rome.

Day 2 - Tuesday, November 28, 2023

In the morning, the President of the Republic and Mrs. Eva Pavlová will meet with the honorary consuls of the Czech Republic in the Italian Republic at the Czech Embassy in Rome.

Meeting with representatives of the Czech community abroad.

12:00 Meeting with the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, at the Quirinal Palace. Bilateral talks between the Presidents. Discussions between national delegations.

1:00 PM Mrs. Eva Pavlová will separately visit the Vojta rehabilitation center and school.

2:00 PM Commemorative ceremony at the Altare della Patria (Piazza Venezia).

3:10 PM Meeting between the President of the Republic and Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic. Visit to the NATO Defence College. Lecture for students.

Day 3 - Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Arrival of the President of the Republic in Milan.

12:05 PM Speech by the President of the Republic at the Czech-Italian business forum. Meeting with the President of the Lombardy Region.

3:15 PM Arrival at the Moto Guzzi factory. Visit to the museum.

4:00 PM Visit to the F-35 assembly line.

Departure of the President of the Republic and Mrs. Eva Pavlová with their delegation from Milan to Prague.

Communication Department, Office of the President of the Czech Republic

Pražský hrad
Pracovní návštěva prezidenta republiky Petra Pavla a Evy Pavlové v Italské republice - Pražský hrad