The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, today received his Saudi counterpart, Waleed El Khereiji, at the Farnesina. The meeting focused on bilateral relations and key issues relating to the stability of the broader Middle East.
Deputy Minister Cirielli highlighted the strengthening of the partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia, not only politically but also economically, following Prime Minister Meloni’s visit to the Kingdom last January. On that occasion, a Joint Declaration was adopted on the establishment of a Strategic Partnership Council, alongside the signing of 30 bilateral agreements. While presenting Italian interests in the fields of energy, connectivity, and the defence industry, Deputy Minister Cirielli underlined that there remains further scope to deepen economic relations between the two countries.
On Gaza, both sides reaffirmed their support for ongoing mediation efforts, stressing the importance of reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages. With the two-State solution as a guiding framework, the Deputy Minister engaged positively with his counterpart on the rescheduling of the namesake Conference, now planned to take place in New York on 28–29 July.
The talks also covered key dossiers relating to Iran, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Libya. The two Deputy Ministers discussed the need to continue supporting the various political stabilisation and socio-economic recovery processes underway in the region.
