Meloni: “In the Gulf to help partners and protect Italy’s interests”

“Our objective” in the Gulf “is to lend a hand in order to better defend the countriesItalian national interests“. Thus, in a video on social media, the Prime MinisterGiorgia Meloni.

The one in the Gulf “is not a simply symbolic visit, what we wanted to give is a message ofsolidaritytowards nations that arepartnerand which they continue to sufferattacks by Iran. But our objective is not to bear witness but to lend a hand in tackling the problems”. Thus, in a recorded video spread on social media, the Prime MinisterGiorgia Meloni.

“At home as in international missions, our work has a precise compass: to defend the Italian interest”. Prime Minister Meloni concluded at the end of her mission in the Persian Gulf

Prime Minister Meloni’s mission in the Gulf

La premier Melonsconcluded two intense days of meetings inSaudi Arabia, Qatar e United Arab Emiratesto express “solidarity towards nations that are friends but, clearly”, also to “guarantee Italy’senergy suppliesthat are necessary”, explained the prime minister herself in an interview with Tg1 broadcast last night.

The first stop: Saudi Arabia

Arrived in Jeddah early Friday afternoon,Melonswas received byCrown Princeand Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia,Mohammed bin Salman. During the meeting the two leaders discussed thedefensive military assistanceprovided by Italy, discussing the prospects ofconflict involving Iranand on ongoing efforts for adiplomatic solutionand, more broadly, on how to promote a regional framework that can emerge from the current cycle of conflict. The meeting also allowed us to discuss how to ensure theenergy suppliesand reduce the impact of the crisis on businesses and citizens. The two leaders also agreed on the importance of ensuring thefreedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The second stop: Qatar

The second stop of the mission, today, was Doha, whereMelonswas received byEmir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Meloni first of all thanked the Emir for the assistance provided in the evacuation of the numerous peopleItalian citizensin particulartourists in transitwho wanted to leave Qatar at the beginning of the conflict and underlined the message of closeness that his presence intends to express in the face ofIranian attacks on Qatar. The Prime Minister and the Emir discussed thediplomatic effortsunderway for the exit from the crisis and to guarantee asustainable regional security architecture. The two leaders then explored the issues furtherenergy issuesalso in light of the consolidated relationship between Italy and Qatar in this area, discussing possible mitigation actions for the shocks suffered. In this framework, Meloni ensured theavailability of Italythrough the excellence of its production system, to contribute to the rehabilitation ofQatari energy infrastructurefundamental forenergy security on a global scale. It was also reiterated how urgent and necessary it is to ensure thefreedom of navigation through Hormuz. Meloni and Al-Thani ultimately agreed to work jointly to further develop thecooperation and joint investmentsto strengthen every dimension ofsafetyespecially in strategic areas ofdefensedelle critical infrastructuresdella food safety e della multilateral cooperationfor the management ofmigratory phenomenain the Mediterranean routes.

The third stop: United Arab Emirates

Third and last stop of this tour were theUnited Arab Emiratesdove Melonsmet the presidentMohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. Also in this case, the Prime Minister expressed Italy’s “strong closeness to a friendly nation, the victim of continuousattacks by Iran“. Meloni also wanted to “express profound gratitude for the support received for the operations ofrepatriation of tourists in transitand of the thousands ofItalian citizenspresent in the Emirates at the beginning of the conflict”. And in this context, the conversation focused attention on the prospects ofconflictand on the conditions necessary forcessation of hostilitiesstarting from the need to ensure thefreedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The conversation finally allowed us to take stock of thebilateral cooperationwith particular reference to a further strengthening of themutual investmentsin strategic sectorsenergydella defense e della safety.

A secret and strategic visit

That ofMelonsit was the first visit to the region by a leader ofUE, G20 e NATOsince the beginning of the war; a visit, Italian sources revealed, which had been kept secret for reasons ofsafetygiven the situation inMiddle Eastespecially with ibombing of Iranwhich continue even in these hours. But, despite thedifficultyMeloni wanted to be present in the three Gulf countries. In Italy the mission was criticized by the Democratic Party and Avs, while the leader of Italia Viva, Matteo Renzi, spoke of a “politically intelligent choice”, even if we need to “fasten our seatbelts” because “difficult months await us”.