President Kim Meets Italian Prime Minister

On the second day of his visit to Italy, March 3, President Kim Dae-jung met speakers of both houses of the Italian Parliament before holding a summit with Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema. President Kim will visit the Vatican as a state guest on March 4, and wind up his visit with a stop in Milan on March 6.

On March 2, President Kim conferred on President Chiampi a Great Mugunghwa Medal, while President Chimapi honored President Kim with a Great Cross Knight Medal.

The summit between Korea and Italy took place at Villa Madama Palace on the hill of Monte Mario, with nine participants in each national contingent.

President Kim asked Italy to make efforts to help open up North Korea, as Italy is the only nation in the EU that has forged diplomatic ties with North Korea. Prime Minister D'Alema is known to have agreed on the need for North Korea to open its doors to the international community. After the talks, the heads of state moved to Romano Hall and watched a signing ceremony. The foreign ministers of the two nations signed agreements on social security and tourism cooperation, while industry ministers signed communiques for cooperation between small enterprises and industrial design. After the signing, the two heads of state celebrated the occasion with champagne.

Lee Hee-ho, wife of President Kim, visited Santa Cecilia National Conservatory. She listened to the music played by Korean students studying there, including Kim So-yon, 13, who was admitted to the school as it's highest-achieving student last October. Lee encouraged Korean students afterward.Santa Cecilia Conservatory was established in 1839, and its forerunner Rome Musicians' Union founded in 1565. This conservatory is the most authoritative advanced institute of music in Italy.

by Kim Jin-Kook