By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
Milan equals fashion?
A visit to Seoul by the mayor of Milan, known for sleek fashion, last week is expected to boost scientific, artistic, and environmental exchanges between Italy and Korea.
Mayor Letizia Moratti came to Korea Monday for a two-day visit. The Italian Embassy in Seoul welcomed her at a reception with nearly 100 guests.
During her stay, she met Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo.
They invited her to visit Korea when they were in Milan last year. Moratti and the Korean mayors agreed to collaborate in science, biotechnology, exhibition, design and fashion.
Milan and Incheon will work hand in hand in the fields of bio-technology, exhibitions and music.
A music conservatory in the Italian city will open a branch in Incheon, offering students who wish to study in the European country an affordable music education alternative.
With Seoul, Milan will work closely in fashion and design, in particular for the World Design Olympics that Seoul will host in October.
She also endorsed support from Korea in Milan's bid for the Expo 2015. Milan's theme is ``Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.''
Milan is competing with Izmir, Turkey in the bid, and the winner will be announced next month.
Moratti is one of Italy's most influential politicians and a businesswoman. The mayor took office in 2006.
She is the wife of an Italian oil tycoon, Gianmarco Moratti, and built a name for herself working in the insurance and telecommunications fields. Between 2001 and 2006, she served as education minister.
Her firts visit to Korea left Moratti with three words ― tradition, innovation and creativity.
``It is admirable to see the miraculous and rapid economic development that South Korea has achieved in such a short period of time with a vivid and enlivened heritage and history,'' Moratti said. ``There's a lot to learn from the economic strides made by Korea.''
People gathered at the ambassador's residence were anxious to see the celebrity Italian figure who arrived just a little behind schedule.
One Italian diplomat who had been aware of her profile described her as elegant and a hard-to-meet lady even in Italy, expressing his excitement at meeting her.
One female Italian student admired Moratti for her influence as a woman. In Italy, Moratti is talked as a potential presidential candidate.
But her answer was, ``I don't look into the future because if I do, that means I am not doing well at what I must do right now. For now, I am committed to Milan.''