By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano will visit Seoul Sunday for a summit with President Lee Myung-bak Monday, the presidential office said Monday.

It will be the first visit by an Italian president to Korea since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1884. Napolitano and his wife are visiting at the invitation of Lee.

During the summit at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee and Napolitano will discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the proposed free trade agreement between Korea and the European Union, the office said in a statement.

Other issues on the agenda include the worldwide efforts to overcome the global economic crisis within the frameworks of the G8 and G20.

During his four-day stay, Napolitano will attend exhibitions featuring Leonardo da Vinci's artworks, and Italian clothes and shoes in Yeongjong-do, Incheon. He will also visit the Museum of Art in Seoul National University. He plans to attend a ceremony to mark the opening of the renovated Italian embassy in Seoul.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr