Italy’s Giorgia Meloni flies to Gulf region in energy security push

ROME – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni flew to Saudi Arabia on Friday for a previously unannounced trip that will also include meetings in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, government sources said.

The sources said the visit would reaffirm Italy’s support for the three nations in the face of Iranian attacks on their territories, and was also aimed at bolstering Italy’s national energy security through closer engagement with Gulf producers.

It is the first trip to the region by a leader from the European Union since the conflict was launched by the United States and Israel at the end of February.

Italy is navigating the Middle East crisis by supporting Gulf partners and coordinating with US and EU allies, analysts say. 

While seeking to avoid direct military involvement, Meloni’s government has announced defence assistance to the region.

Earlier last month, Meloni said Italy did not intend to enter the war, while indicating that Rome was preparing to provide defensive assistance, including air defence support, to Gulf partners facing Iranian strikes.

Speaking at the time, Meloni said the planned assistance reflected both Italy’s political ties with Gulf countries and the need to protect Italian nationals and military personnel deployed across the region.

“This is not only because they are friendly nations, but above all because tens of thousands of Italians live in the region and around 2,000 Italian troops are deployed there, people we want, and must, protect,” she said.