AL-ULA (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS) – “This is the beginning of a new era in our cooperation. There is room to do more and this is a first step.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this in Al-Ula in her speech at the Italy-Saudi Arabia High Level Roundtable.
The total value of the agreements signed today between Italy and Saudi Arabia is “about $10 billion,” explained Meloni, who met with Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman in Al-Ula.
“These numbers give an idea of our commitment for the future as well,” stressed the Italian premier, who cited infrastructure, defense, tourism, and defense of cultural heritage among the sectors involved in the agreements.
“This forum concretely demonstrates how we are all aware that the relationship between the financial systems of Italy and Saudi Arabia has ample room for growth. It is a common interest to make a qualitative leap,” Meloni said. Economic relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia are certainly positive. Italy is the seventh largest supplier to Saudi Arabia. In 2024 there was an increase over the previous year, this I consider significant but also improvable. There is a huge potential in our cooperation, my wish is that this can open a completely new phase in our partnership. Our relationship has been elevated to a strategic partnership, there is a difference between selling and buying something and cooperating. Cooperating means reasoning, confronting what the differences are and being able to listen and be heard. The more frank and intense the dialogue, the more it will develop. That is why we are here today.”
From Jan. 25 to Jan. 27, Meloni, made an official visit to Saudi Arabia, “as part of the Italian government’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with Gulf countries on issues of common interest,” reads a note from Palazzo Chigi. In Al-Ula, President Meloni met with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed bin Salman Al Saud. During the meeting, the two leaders signed a joint declaration elevating the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, initiating structured cooperation. Among the initiatives agreed upon is the organization in the coming months of a sectoral business forum and the initiation of a process to define an action plan with shared priorities. During the talks, Meloni and bin Salman discussed several major global and regional issues, including in the context of relations between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Among the topics discussed: the search for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine; consolidation of the ceasefire in Gaza and the resumption of a political process toward a two-state solution; support for an inclusive political process in Syria and reconstruction efforts; assistance to Lebanon; an approach to energy transition based on technology neutrality and interconnections between networks; and the development of data centers and joint initiatives for sustainable progress in Africa.
The Council president also participated in a roundtable discussion with public and private representatives from both countries, during which several agreements were signed at both the governmental and private levels. “These understandings concern the economic sector and the enhancement of cultural heritage,” the Palazzo Chigi note stressed. “Agreements were also signed by the private sector for collaborations in Africa, in line with the Mattei Plan. During the visit, President Meloni also made a stop in Jeddah, where she visited the Nave Vespucci, bringing her greetings to the crew. The training ship stopped in Saudi Arabia, for the first time in its history, as part of a circumnavigation of the globe that began on July 1, 2023 and will end next June 10 after touching 33 ports in 28 nations and on 5 continents.
– Photo screenshot video Palazzo Chigi –
(ITALPRESS).
