(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 7 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that she spoke to the world's richest man Elon Musk following Donald Trump's victory in Tuesday's presidential election in the United States.
    The Tesla and X owner was a big supporter of Trump's campaign.
    "A few hours ago I heard from my friend Elon Musk," Meloni, the leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, said via social media.
    "I am convinced that his commitment and his vision can be an important asset for the United States and for Italy, in a spirit of collaboration aimed at facing future challenges".
    Musk has spoken out several times in favour of Meloni policies aimed at combatting the illegal arrival of migrants to Italy and efforts to reverse the decline in the birth rate.
    They had a meeting at the premier's office in June 2023 and in December he attended the FdI's Atreju political festival.
    He presented her with the 'Global Citizen Award 2024 from Washington-based think tank Atlantic Council in New York in September, praising her as "someone who is even more beautiful inside than outside".
    Musk said Meloni had done "an incredible job" as prime minister with "record growth and employment".
    "She is someone who is authentic, honest, truthful", added the billionaire during a ceremony at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan.
    Meloni had a telephone conversation late on Wednesday with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his election victory, her office said.
    "The conversation provided an opportunity to confirm the solid alliance, strategic partnership and deep and long-standing friendship that have always connected Rome and Washington," a statement said.
    "During the call, President Meloni and President-elect Donald J.
    Trump expressed their willingness to work in close coordination on all the main international issues, starting with the war in Ukraine and the Middle East crisis, with the common goal of fostering stability and security, also in the context of relations with the European Union.
    "In closing, they stated their intention to continue the process of strengthening the already excellent bilateral relations, which are based on shared values and principles, and agreed to keep in close contact". (ANSA).