LONDON 

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday welcomed Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni to discuss topics such as migration, defense, and the war in Ukraine. 

Talking to reporters before their meeting at 10 Downing St, Sunak said "the values between our two countries are very aligned, which is why we can work so well together on shared challenges."

He also paid tribute to her tackling of illegal migration, saying "which is something that is common to both of us," according to British media.

Sunak also expressed his admiration for Meloni’s "very careful handling of the Italian economy."

Meloni responded by saying that Italy and the UK had a "strong partnership."

She also praised the UK's controversial illegal migration bill.

"We have nations that … have a strong partnership since decades, but I think there is much more that we can do on many topics on which we are on the same side – defense, Ukraine.

"Tackling traffickers and illegal migration is something that your government is doing very well."

Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, became prime minister last autumn and her government's policies towards refugees have been criticized.

Her arrival at No.10 was marked by a protest against her government's hardline stance on refugees.