ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Vice-Premier and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani outlined an enthusiastic balance of bilateral relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia, calling it “a vibrant, far-sighted and energetic alliance”. In an interview with the Saudi daily Arab News in view of his official visit to Riad tomorrow, the head of Italian diplomacy said: “What was a solid friendship has become a global partnership: politics, energy, infrastructure, innovation, culture, defense and the extraordinary transformation of the Kingdom.” Tajani stressed that the two countries share the ambition of “building a future based on stability, sustainable prosperity and technological excellence, respecting their respective cultural identities”. On the international level, the minister highlighted full convergence on the Gaza crisis: “Italy and Saudi Arabia are convinced that only a credible solution to two states can bring lasting peace.” Rome proudly supports the Global Alliance led by Saudi Arabia for the implementation of the solution to two states and is the western country that has welcomed more Palestinians from Gaza (1,300 people, including over 200 children in need of life-saving care) through the Food for Gaza initiative and medical evacuations.
From the economic point of view, Tajani recalled that Saudi Arabia is today the second market for Italian exports to the MENA region, with a bilateral trade increased by 67% over the last five years and an average annual increase of 20% of Italian exports since 2022. Tomorrow the minister will lead to Riad a delegation of about 500 Italian companies and institutions for the Italian Economic Forum Italy-Arabia Saudita, which will be followed by the AlUla table last January between Premier Giorgia Meloni and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Five sectors at the centre: sustainable infrastructure and mobility; life science and health; high technology and digital; agritech and water treatment; culture and sport. “Our companies – Tajani added – are already protagonists in the great projects of Vision 2030′′′′ and Italy is prepared to host in 2026 the first edition of Italy-Saudi Arabia Energy Days to strengthen cooperation on renewables, hydrogen, smart networks and green fuels. On the defence and security front, the minister spoke of “innovative collaborations” between Italian and Saudi companies, while on the cultural level he reiterated the Italian readiness to make available its unique know-how in conservation of heritage, museums and creative industries. “I arrived at Riad – Tajani concluded – with the conviction that our partnership has reached a level of maturity, trust and shared ambition that allows us to look to the future with enthusiasm. Together we can be a global example of cooperation, innovation and prosperity.”.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
