Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his country and Saudi Arabia share a common goal of building a stable, peaceful and prosperous Middle East, a commitment that took shape with the launch of a Saudi-Italian Strategic Partnership Council earlier this year.
The council, signed in January 2025 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has strengthened political dialogue and coordination through regular consultations aimed at supporting peace, stability and tackling global challenges, Tajani told Asharq Al-Awsat in a phone interview.
He said the conflicts in Gaza and Syria were prime examples of joint engagement, noting that Rome has worked with Riyadh within the framework of the “International Conference for the Two-State Solution” and joined the meeting co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France in New York last month.
Tajani stressed the urgent need to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, free hostages and ensure full humanitarian access. He said Italy was ready to contribute to any potential Arab-led UN mission and to Gaza’s reconstruction.
His remarks coincided with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Italy on Thursday.
Support for Syrians
Tajani said Italy and Saudi Arabia back the Syrian government as the “best hope” for Damascus to move toward a more inclusive and democratic system. Both countries, he added, are committed to improving conditions for Syrians through humanitarian aid, early recovery efforts and economic support following the lifting of sanctions – a decision both states endorsed from the start.
On Palestinian statehood, the deputy prime minister said Italy views the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as central to the two-state solution. But he argued recognition should come through a political process under international sponsorship, warning that unilateral moves could do more harm than good.
He said Rome was working to create conditions for political recognition by improving living standards in the West Bank and Gaza, pointing to Italy’s “Food for Gaza” initiative, which has delivered more than 200 tons of food and medical supplies and evacuated over 180 children and their families. In total, about 1,000 Palestinians are now in Italy – making it the first Western country to provide such support, he said.
Strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia
On the economic front, Tajani described Saudi Arabia as Italy’s fastest-growing export market in the Middle East in 2024 and a strategic partner in implementing Vision 2030. He said cooperation extends beyond trade to investments, technology and expertise-sharing, with energy a central pillar.
Major Italian firms including Snam, Edison, Prysmian, GE Vernova, Ansaldo Energia and De Nora have recently signed agreements with Saudi utility developer Acwa Power, Tajani said.
Italian companies are also involved in large-scale projects such as railways, metro systems and landmark architectural works in the kingdom, and are ready to join upcoming mega-projects in both physical and digital infrastructure, he added.
He also voiced Italy’s support for initiatives to connect India and Europe through the Middle East to transport goods, green energy and digital links, calling the project “vital for prosperity and for meeting today’s geopolitical and economic challenges.”
Italian investment in Saudi mega-projects
Tajani said preparations are under way for a business forum in Riyadh, following a high-level roundtable in AlUla during Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s visit earlier this year, which produced agreements worth nearly $10 billion.
Future cooperation, he said, will focus on areas such as sustainable smart cities, healthcare modernization, advanced digital networks, agricultural innovation and water management. Italy also hopes to contribute to developing Saudi Arabia’s sports industry, drawing on its design and manufacturing expertise.
Role in Ukraine war
Turning to the war in Ukraine, Tajani praised Saudi Arabia’s high-level participation in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, hosted in Rome in July. The event drew more than 110 official delegations and secured pledges of over €10 billion in financial commitments, plus €5 billion in private sector deals.
Saudi involvement, he said, showed growing bilateral cooperation not only in humanitarian support but also in reconstruction and modernization efforts in Ukraine. Italy is keen to expand this partnership to include joint financial aid and company participation in rebuilding critical infrastructure and social services.
Growing Saudi influence
Tajani said Saudi Arabia has emerged as a “major player with growing regional and international influence” and underlined the potential for deeper cooperation between Riyadh and the European Union in energy, digital transition, infrastructure, trade and investment.
He said stronger EU-Saudi ties, bilaterally or through the Gulf Cooperation Council, would benefit both sides. The first EU-GCC summit held in October 2024 laid the groundwork for this cooperation, he added.
Saudi-Italian ties have advanced rapidly, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Meloni holding seven political consultations over the past two years – including six phone calls and one official visit.
