Premier Li Keqiang (L) meets with Italian Senate President Piero Grasso (R) in Rome, Italy, Oct 15, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

While meeting with Grasso, Li called on the two countries to give full play to their strong complementarity in such areas as sustainable development, technological innovation and environmental protection, and cement trade and investment cooperation.

Calling parliamentary exchanges a very important component of the overall relations, Li said such interactions will help lay a solid social foundation for the Sino-Italian ties.

He expressed the hope that the Italian Senate will continue to support the advancement of the China-Italy relations, and promote more progress of bilateral cooperation in diversified fields.

The Chinese premier hoped that more Italian congressmen will visit China so that they can have a better understanding about the country.

Lauding the profound friendship between the two peoples, Grasso said Italy hopes to further cement high-level and parliamentary exchanges with China on the basis of mutual respect and benefit, and enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, culture and interconnectivity.

Li arrived Tuesday for an official visit to Italy and a trip to the headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. He left for Milan later Wednesday to attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting summit scheduled from Thursday to Friday.

Italy is the last stop of Li's three-nation European tour, which has taken him to Germany and Russia.