Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini on Monday said a meeting between Elon Musk and Italian President Sergio Mattarella would be stimulating, speaking on the sidelines of an event at the prefect's office in Milan about the SpaceX owner's request to hold talks with the head of State.
"I am not in charge of Musk's or president Mattarella's agendas", said Salvini, the leader of the right-wing League party.
"Also, I am not the one to decide whether technology A or technology B is ok", he noted.
"If Starlink connects half the world, I don't see why the Left should prejudicially say no", added Salvini, referring to a potential deal between Rome and Musk's satellite provider Starlink.
According to Salvini, "when national security is discussed, likes and dislikes should leave the table".
Elon Musk said on X on Saturday that "it would be an honour to speak to President (Sergio) Mattarella".
The world richest man and chief of US President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was responding to a user who said that Mattarella was trying to stop the Italian government reaching a deal with his Starlink.
Salvini on Sunday called on the government to move forward and sign an agreement with Musk's SpaceX to use their Starlink satellites for secure Italian government telecoms.
"Those on the Left who say no to Musk no matter what are wrong," Salvini said at a party event in Milan.
"In my opinion, it's in the Italian government's interest to sign a contract tomorrow morning with Starlink, which has 7,000 satellites in orbit - not because I like Musk or because I'm rooting for Trump, because it would improve Italy's national security.
"I certainly have no desire or intention to put myself in the hands of the French," he added, referring to the option of an agreement with French satellite operator Eutelsat.
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