ROME – This morning, the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, welcomed the Minister of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Faisal Bin Fadhil Alibrahim, at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Tajani stated, “I reiterated that the Italian government is closely following the situation in the Gaza Strip. As the country holding the Presidency of the G7, we are also working toward a ceasefire that will allow for an immediate increase in humanitarian aid for the Palestinian population and the release of the Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas. Italy is in the front line with the ‘Food for Gaza’ initiative and is ready to consider sending its own troops on a mission modelled on the Arab-led UNIFIL, under the aegis of the United Nations. In doing so, dialogue with and support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for peacebuilding in the region is decisive.”
The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed his concern over the crisis in the Red Sea and its repercussions on the Italian economy, confirming his appreciation for Riyadh’s commitment to regional stability.
In agreeing with the political stance expressed by the Italian Minister, the Saudi Minister said he was particularly interested in the concrete work that Italy and Saudi Arabia can do for the stabilisation of the region in the framework of the Mattei Plan, and of Africa in particular.
Tajani added, “Saudi Arabia is a key partner for Italy, which the Italian government is seeking to strengthen dialogue with at a political level. In this framework, we greatly appreciate Riyadh’s contribution to the Rome Process and the implementation of concrete projects in the field of migration.” Minister Tajani added that Italy “is strengthening cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the economic field – that is why I suggested to the Minister, who immediately agreed, that a new business forum be organised here in Rome soon, so as to promote relations between Italian and Saudi Arabian companies and give further impetus to joint projects for growth and development.”
The common will to intensify economic and trade relations was the main focus of the meeting. In recalling that Italian businesses have a very strong presence in Saudi Arabia, Minister Tajani emphasised “Italy’s ambition to play a role as a privileged partner of the Kingdom, supporting it in the path of economic diversification. Some important Italian companies are already key players in this process thanks to their know-how and excellent products. Through the involvement of the relevant supply chains, it will be possible to generate interesting opportunities for our small and medium-sized enterprises as well.”
On the Saudi side, a strong interest was expressed in deepening the prospects for wide-ranging economic cooperation with Italy, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, industrial development, food security, education, research, logistics, transport and communications.
Saudi Arabia remains an indispensable stakeholder in the energy field. Leading Italian companies in the field of ecological transition are initiating various collaborations with local partners in order to meet Saudi needs for local production and the acquisition of technological expertise.
The two Ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in the academic sphere as well, aiming to increase the number of Saudi students in Italy and that of Italian students in Saudi Arabia, and to promote contacts between research centres in the two countries.
